Category : Educational Policy

National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP) envisions a massive transformation in education through– “an education system rooted in Indian ethos that contributes directly to transforming India, that is Bharat, sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, by providing high quality education to all, thereby making India a global knowledge superpower.

Highlights Of National Education Policy 2020:

Universal Access:The NEP 2020 aims to ensure universal access to school education, from preschool to secondary level, with the introduction of several provisions that prioritize inclusivity and equity in education. These provisions include:

Innovative Education Centers: The policy promotes the establishment of innovative education centers to provide high-quality education to all students, especially those in disadvantaged areas.

Good Infrastructure Support: The NEP 2020 emphasizes the provision of good infrastructure support, including well-equipped classrooms and laboratories, to ensure an optimal learning environment for students.

Tracking Student Progress: The policy focuses on tracking student progress based on learning levels to ensure that every student is able to achieve basic literacy and numeracy skills by grade 3.

Multiple Modes of Learning: The NEP 2020 advocates for a flexible and multi-modal approach to learning that includes both formal and informal modes of education.

Experienced Faculty Members: The policy encourages the recruitment of experienced and well-trained faculty members to ensure high-quality teaching and learning experiences for students.

Trained Counselors: The NEP 2020 also emphasizes the need for trained counselors in schools to provide emotional and mental health support to students.

Open Learning: The policy offers the option for open learning for students studying in classes 3, 5, and 8 through State Open Schools, NIOS, and vocational courses. This is aimed at bringing nearly 2 crore out-of-school children back to mainstream education.

THE NEW 5+3+3+4 ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

10+2 refers to two years of schooling post grade 10. According to India’s new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, 10+2 schooling system in India is set to be replaced by a new 5+3+3+4 system. Here is the age-wise breakdown of the different levels of the school education system based on the new education policy 2020

5 years of Foundational Stage:

For ages: 3 to 8

For classes: Anganwadi/pre-school, class 1, class 2

This stage will focus on teaching in play-based or activity-based methods and on the development of language skills.

3 years of Preparatory Stage:

For ages: 8 to 11

For classes: 3 to 5

The focus in the preparatory stage will remain on language development and numeracy skills. Here, the method of teaching and learning would be play and activity-based, and also include classroom interactions and the element of discovery.

3 years of Middle Stage:

For ages: 11 to 14

For classes: 6 to 8

As per NEP 2020, this stage of school education will focus on critical learning objectives, which is a big shift from the rote learning methods used in our education system for years. This stage will work on experiential learning in the sciences, mathematics, arts, social sciences and humanities.

4 years of Secondary Stage:

For ages: 14 to 18

For classes: 9 to 12

This stage will cover two phases: Classes 9 and 10, and classes 11 and 12. Concepts will be covered in greater depth in this stage.

To conclude, the NEP 2020 is a significant step towards transforming the Indian education system. The policy aims to make education more inclusive, equitable, and holistic. It focuses on the development of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

The policy also emphasizes the importance of teacher training and continuous professional development. The implementation of the NEP 2020 will require a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including the government, schools, teachers, parents, and students.