National Education Policy 2020 (India)

India is a country of heritage and many cultures. Education is part of the culture and beliefs in India, and it dates back to the invention of Zero by Arya Bhatt. Be it the astronomical calculations, Vedic Maths or Sanskrit, the credit to bring it to light goes to Indians. Today Indians are the CEOs of the most successful companies in the world and largely, if not entirely to the inherited education system. India has always been open to adapt to changes and the implementation of NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY (NEP) 2020 is that change in the education system which will help build and prepare our nation for future.

There is a lot of confusion regarding its implementation, need and scope. In this article we will simplify these aspects for us.

What is NEP 2020?
NEP 2020 is the new National Educational Policy which has been reformed after 30 long years of Indian education system. NEP aims at bringing the change in the education pattern from early childhood years to post graduation. What we have today is the 10+2 system (1 to 10 years of general education, followed by 2 years of higher secondary education). With NEP 2020, the structure will change to 5+3+3+4 (5 years of Foundation, 3 years of Preparatory School, 3 years of Middle School followed by 4 years of High School), which implies that for the first time children aged 3 to 5 years will receive formal education. This only implies that the Playgroup which already exists will henceforth come under the wings of the formal education system ensuring more accountability, affordability and better quality of education. The difference being that after completing 2 years in playgroup, children move to main schools where they complete additional 2 years of Kindergarten classes followed by 12 years of education. With NEP 2020, the education structure is divided into stages keeping in mind the cognitive growth of the children. The division is as follows:

Stage: Foundation School
Duration: 5 Years
Grades: Playgroup (3 to 5 years)
Grades 1 to 2 (6 to 7 years)
Advantages:
Focus will be on the play way method of learning and on developing the language skills. Till the age of six children have amazing grasping powers and the activity based learning will help them with good motor skills development

Stage: Preparatory School
Duration: 3 Years
Grades: Grades 3 to 5 (8 to 10 years)
Advantages:
Focus will be on their language development, numeracy skills, interaction and exploration. It will prepare them to handle the transition to middle school

Stage: Middle School
Duration: 3 Years
Grades: Grades 6 to 8 (11 to 13 years)
Advantages:
This stage will have big shift in education system, as the children will get exposure to experiential based learning compared to the rote learning that has been followed for ages which will enhance their critical thinking. Vocational learning will be introduced and focus will also be on Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Sciences and Mathematics

Stage: High School
Duration: 4 Years
Grades: Grades 9 to 12 (14 to 18 years)
Advantages:
It will cover two phases grade 9 &10, and grade 11 &12. The education structure will adopt a Multidisciplinary approach. Unlike the current system where education is divided into 3 main categories ARTS, SCIENCE and COMMERCE, students will have the liberty to choose the subjects of their choice, as per their skills and interests and not by the streams of current education system. It’s a big step towards flexibility of studying what they like and opening of multitude career options thereafter

India, for several years now, has been losing its best talent to overseas either for education or employment. NEP 2020 will allow for overseas universities to set up their campus in India which can radically reverse the brain drain for the country. Some Indian School boards such as ICSE and CBSE have already started adopting the new policy with their 2022 board exams. The salient features of this policy include

• Taking into consideration that age group of 3 to 8 years needs a good foundation, the curriculum is designed to educate them for a better understanding of the numbers and languages to progress

• The mode delivery can be through the mother tongue for the ease of learning but English will be taught in parallel

• Grades 6 to 8 will have 10 bagless school days so that students get a chance to learn from the vocational experts

• Vocational education including gardening, electric work, metal work, pottery etc. will be integrated along with the internships from grade 6

• To equip the students for future, computer coding will also be introduced from grade 6

• Semester based learning in secondary school will help ease pressure on the students, the evaluation system will change from marks-based assessment to holistic evaluation

Benefits Of NEP:

• Multiple Entry and Exit points - Currently if students leave a course mid-way, the qualification is not accounted. With NEP 2020, some Higher Education Institutes will allow the student to settle for a lower level certification, as per the UGC guidelines with Credits awarded for the completed duration of course. Thus, they do not lose anything and can continue learning as per their interests with the accrued credits to help complete their graduation or post graduation. This will be applicable for UG and PG programs only

• Flexibility - Students get the freedom to learn, what they want to learn and when they want to learn. They can take subjects of their choice. No rigidity as per streams. It could be a regular course, online or Distance learning mode

• The Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) in higher education will be introduced. Students can select the Institutions registered under ABC, national or International and choose their course of Interest

• Students will be charged fee only on per credit basis and not annually making the higher education system more affordable and manageable for all

• With competency based questions being the new board reform, students will learn through activities and critical thinking and logical reasoning will improve

• Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary approach will help them at National and International Level

• The new academic structure will help them adapt to new technological advancements

• Vocational learning and Internships will make them Industry Ready

What we think?

NEP 2020 will be the turning point in the Education Industry, if implemented as envisioned.