National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

INDIA's first education policy was introduced in 1968 under the governance of Late Mrs. INDIRA GANDHI and in 1986 India's second education policy was introduced by the government of Late Mr. RAJIV GANDHI which was modified by the government of  Late Mr. P.V. Narsimha Rao in 1992 and now after 34 years we have our NEW EDUCATION POLICY under the governance of  Mr. Narendra Damodar Das Modi.

The 2014 BJP manifesto includes The New Education Policy. In 2015 when Mrs. Smriti Irani was the HRD minister then a committee was formed whose chairman was Mr. T.S.R.Subramanian. This committee submitted its report on 7th May 2016. The main objective of this committee was

• To improve the quality of Education.
• Credibility of Education.
• Addressing the gaps in implementation.

In October 2016, the ministry has released this draft policy and called upon for the suggestions but due to some reasons those recommendations  could not happen.

After this under the chairmanship of former ISRO chief  DR. K.KASTURIRANGAN a new committee was formed along with 8 other members. They drafted the NEW EDUCATION POLICY in 2019 which is finally passed as the NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY (NEP) 2020.

If you simply look at the History of Indian Education, you will be surprised to know that there was no significant change that was made during the past 34 years and therefore this new education policy is a kind of  historic moment for everybody across India because this is going to take our education system to new heights. If you look at the education system of other countries like USA,UK,CHINA etc. you will find out that their education system is really enhanced. They focus on theory as well as on the practical domain. The education system that we are following right now is highly outdated. So, looking at all these lecunas our government has decided that our education system should be reformed. 

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REASONS BEHIND LAUNCHING NEP 2020

1- By 2035, atleast 50% students should be able to complete their Higher Education. Right now only 25% students enroll themselves in Higher Education rest everyone drop out because of various reasons.

2-Reduce Rote Learning( Rattafication) i.e. government wants that the education system should be more practical & less theoratical. According to the current education policy we are just taught to mug up things, we are not taught how we can use our knowledge in the practical domain. Looking at the current scenario right now it is very important that the students should know the practical applications.

 3- No Hard Seperation of Streams i.e. government wants that the student should be able to select the options of various subjects on their own and then these subjects should help him/her in their career.

 

National Education Policy 1986 

Old Education System (10+2 system) includes 

• Nursery + K.G. + Prep (Pre-Schooling)
• Primary Stage - Class 1st to Class 5th
• Upper Primary Stage - Class 6th to Class 8th
• Secondary Stage - Class 9th & Class 10th
• Higher Secondary Stage - Class 11th & Class 12th

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• SCHOOL EDUCATION

[Nursery+K.G.+PREP] + [10+2] This is how it was structured so far. The most important change in school education pattern is that this education system is to be replaced with [5+3+3+4] pattern and option for teaching in mother tongue till 6th standard. It can also be extended to 8th Standard

➡ 1st Stage Of School Education(4 years) includes classes [Nursery+K.G.+Prep+1+2]. The main focus in this five year will be to enhance the language of students i.e. language development.

➡ 2nd Stage Of School Education(3 years) includes classes [3+4+5]. In these three years the student will be taught basics and the fundamentals.

➡ 3rd Stage Of School Education(3years) includes classes [6+7+8]. In this the students will be introduced to all kind of subjects so that student should be able to taste the flavour of each subject.

🔹Vocational courses i.e. internships are introduced. The efforts are made to make the knowledge more practical.

🔹Coding will also be introduced.

➡ 4th Stage Of School Education(4 years) includes classes [9+10+11+12]. In this stage students have the choice to select the subjects which they like to study. Now a student can club science, commerce & humanities and can make a different structure of subjects for themselves. Student can select different subjects from different streams along with that now co-curricular activities may also be taken as subjects like dance, bakery, fine arts, fashion designing etc.

• HIGHER EDUCATION 

1) Major changes in Higher Education focuses on Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs) at par with IITs, IIMs to be set up as models of best multidisciplinary education of global standards in the country.

2) 3-4 year UG Degree will include multiple exit and entry option

• 1 year - CERTIFICATE 

• 2 year - DIPLOMA 

• 3 year - Bachelor's Degree

• 4 year - Bachelor's Degree with Research 

• 5 year - Integrated (Bachelor's 4 year + 1 year Masters) can directly go for P.hd. (M.Phil to be discontinued)

3) An Academic Bank of Credit is to be established for digitally storing academic credits earned from different institutes so that these can be transferred and counted towards final degree earned.

4) Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up as the single umbrella body for the entire higher education excluding medical & legal.

Some Other Features of NEP 2020

• HRD ministry now renamed as Ministry Of Education.
• Government proposed that the GDP investment in education will be increased from 1.6% to atleast 6%.
• Focusing on Gross Enrollment Ratio so that it can inrease upto 50% by 2035.
• Government will try to make no difference between private & government education.
• A common entrance exam called National Testing Agency (NTA) will be conducted twice every year for university entrance exams.

Changes for Teachers 

1.     After consulting with NCERT, a new National Curriculum Framework for Teachers Eduction (NCFTE 2021) will be formed.

2.     By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be 4-year Integrated B.Ed.

3.     Teachers will be recruited through a transparent process.

4.     Promotions will be merit-based.

 

"Objective of New Education Policy is the Universalisation of Education by Achieving Global Standards of Education."