HIGHLIGHTS
- NEP2020 aims to recognise the need to evaluate “higher order skills” such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, visualisation, and idea generation.
- NEP 2020 emphasises on multidisciplinary learning and no separations are made between vocational and academic streams.
Long overdue, the New Education Policy 2020 is on the lines of universalising education from pre-school to secondary level. It replaces a 34-year-old policy to become a more inclusive, holistic, comprehensive, and far-sighted policy to make India a knowledge hub by the end of this decade.
Under the new policy, the government aims to bridge social gaps in participation, access, and learning outcomes in school education with a target of 100 percent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GEER) or zero school drop outs by 2030.
The top 5 highlights of NEP 2020 are:
- Multiple entry and exit options in degree courses
- Discontinuation of MPhil Programs
- Single regulator for higher education institutes
- Low stakes Board Exams
- Common entrance exams for Universities
Impact of NEP 2020 on Indian education system
- Content Curriculum and Pedagogy
The conventional 10+2 school curricula structure is to be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively. This implies that a student must have 12 years of schooling preceded by 3 years of Anganwadi or pre-schooling experience.
To implement this change at grassroots levels, curriculum, content, and pedagogy restructuring must be done as per the NCF (National Curriculum Framework) and content revisited in textbooks.
- Integrate Technology with Learning and Teaching Process
A regulatory body NEAT (National Educational Alliance for Technology) has been set up to integrate technology for better learning outcomes. NEAT aims to use Artificial Intelligence to personalize learning experience depending on learner’s requirement.
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It even proposes to extend national alliance interests with EdTech companies for enhanced learning outcomes. However, one of the biggest challenges is to establish a robust digital infrastructure in remote areas.
- Assessment
PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), a national assessment centre has been proposed to set up to keep a regular check on the education system.
NEP2020 aims to recognise the need to evaluate “higher order skills” such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, visualisation, and idea generation.
Shifting the focus of assessments from academic grades to higher order skills creates higher performance standards demonstrated through varying degrees of competency across social levels.
- Mother Tongue as a medium of instruction
NEP 2020 focuses on the use of mother tongue as the instruction medium however, not mandating the use of a particular language on anyone.
Home language or local language will be used preferably till Grade 8 as mother tongue lets students grasp complex concepts easily.
- Science, Arts and Commerce gets blurred
NEP 2020 emphasises on multidisciplinary learning and no separations are made between vocational and academic streams. ACadru, one of the best online learning platforms offer free access to multi-disciplinary modules that help users to build unique careers for future jobs.
Students select the subjects of their choice across streams. Vocational education starts from 6th grade that also include internships.
- Teacher Training
The new education system is an evolved blend of the digital and traditional learning system. Educators, therefore, have to be trained digitally to blend into the new digital learning processes.
NEP 2020 is a milestone in the history of the education system in India. It will provide the much-needed tectonic shift in the pedagogical structure emphasising experiential and practical learning that will instill 21st-century skills in children. ACadru is currently the only platform that offers a multidisciplinary learning platform with skill-building activities for senior school and college students starting from grade 9.