As per the view of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam - “The purpose of education is to make better human beings with skill and expertise. Enlightened human beings can be made by teachers.”
The Union Cabinet of India has approved the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), intending to introduce numerous changes in the education system – from kindergarten to higher education level.
- National Education Policy 2020 aims to make “India an international understanding and learning superpower”.
- The executive has approved renaming the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to the Ministry of Education.
- The New Education Policy 2020 is the 3rd main revamp of the education framework in India since its independence.
- Old education policies were brought in 1968 and 1986.
New Education Policy 2020 aims to ensure that no student loses any opportunity to learn and excel because of the circumstances of background or birth. As per the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), NEP's sole aim is to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in education, including vocational education, from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035.
New Education Policy 2020 – An Overview
The new policy has launched a new 5+3+3+4 education structure that replaces the existing 10+2 education system. This new education method includes a great base of Early Childhood Care and Education for age 3 to enhance learning and well-being for kids.
ECCE focuses on four key areas: Universal Access, Foundational Learning, Multifaceted Learning and Preparatory Classes.
Essential Recommendations For New National Education Policy
New Education Policy aims to increase the focus on reforming the existing exam system, strengthening teacher training and early childhood care and restructuring the regulatory framework of learning. Have a look at essential recommendations of the new policy 2020-
National Curriculum Framework
As per the NEP 2020, a new National Curriculum Framework — a comprehensive framework to guide the development of learning in the country — is being developed. NCF serves as a guideline for designing the syllabus and textbooks and informs teaching practices in the country.
- 5 Years of Foundational Phase - 3 years of pre-primary followed by classes 1 and 2
- 3 Years of Preparatory Phase - Classes 3 to 5
- 3 Years of Middle Phase - Classes 6 to 8
- 4 Year of Secondary Phase - Classes 9-12
NCF is a key component of a new policy that enables school owners to implement the objectives of NEP 2020.
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
The New Education Policy 2020 recommended that ECCE be developed in a 2-part curriculum consisting of:
- Guidelines for Teachers and Parents of students up to three years of age
- A learning framework for kids between the 3-8 years ages
School Exam Reforms
School exam reforms recommended by the NEP 2020 include tracking the everyday progress of the kids throughout their learning experience.
- Another important recommendation was restructuring the 10th board exam that would mainly focus and test only the skills, knowledge, core concepts and higher-order thinking and capacities.
- It includes State Census Exams in classes 3, 5 and 8.
Right to Education Act, 2009
The NEP 2020 recommended extending the range of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 to include the listed below learning levels –
- Early Childhood
- Secondary School
This will allow coverage of RTE to all kids between 3-18 years of age. In addition, it suggested the elimination of detention of students until the 8th class.
Conclusion
NEP 2020 is the 21st Century’s first education policy in India to address various increasing developmental aspects. This new policy proposes revising and revamping every aspect of the education structure, like its governance and regulation, to make a new system aligned with the goals of a 21st-century learning system.
To sum up, with the new education policy, students will become more creative, and the productivity of teachers will also increase.
