The government of India along with the Ministry of Education on Wednesday announced a NEP (New Education Policy) that aims at improving the quality of education in the Indian Sub Continent and is moreover an initiative by the Indian govt. to transform the country into an “education superpower”.
However, there is still a lot of confusion amongst students and professionals from the Education Industry.
Through this article, True Scoop News aims at explaining the NEP 2020 in a manner through which it would be easier for its viewers/ readers to grasp.
After every few decades, most nations look to renew their education policies with the sole purpose of improving the quality of education moreover, to ensure that it is at par with the ever-changing times. With this in mind, the govt. of India more or less had the same plans when it introduced the NEP 2020 which witnessed a change in its education policy after a span of nearly 34 years.
The sole purpose of the NEP is to create an education model that is at par with that of some of the best education models of the largest and most developed nations of on the globe.
The NEP wants to inculcate a more “practical based education model” where the students will be imparted with practical knowledge besides theoretical knowledge which will assist them to integrate in a much seamless manner into their professional careers and will more or less be a very flexible model. A system that this nation has probably never heard or seen before.
The NEP Mission:
It aims at 100% “Gross Enrollment Ratio” (GER) in schools by 2030 and up to 50% GER in higher education by the year 2025
The NEP2020 Changes:
1.
The previous schooling model of 10+2 will be
replaced by a 5+3+3+4 model which will incorporate students in an age group of
3-8 years in the first model (Foundation Stage), 8-11 years in the second model
(Preparatory stage), 11-14in the third (Middle stage), and 14-18 in the final model (Secondary Stage).
2.
It will consist of a “three language model”
wherein the students will be imparted knowledge in their native language till
the 5th grade; to ensure that the students will not only stay
connected to their “native roots” through their native language but to also grasp
concepts in a much better and efficient manner.
3.
Instead of exams every year, students will now
appear for exams in grades 3, 5 and 8. The board exams will be remodelled to a
more subjective+ objective based examination model.
4.
Students will be provided with an option to
learn vocational subjects throughout their education. Grades 6-8 will have the
opportunity to intern with local experts such as artists, potters, carpenters, and
gardeners etc. to learn “real-life skills” simultaneously.
5. From grades 8-11, students will have the option to choose their own subjects. There will be no rigid boundaries between arts and sciences.
6. All graduation courses will have a “Major” and a “Minor” (Example - science students can have Physics as a Major and Music as a Minor.) moreover, under the new policy UG degree will be of 3-4 years with the option of multiple entries and exit from any course. After the 1st year will be given a certificate, 2nd a diploma, and 3rd or 4th a Degree. A Credit system will also be introduced for students each year where they will receive credits which could be utilized if they take breaks in their course and come back later to complete their course.
7.
It is also reported that universities from
among the “Top 100 Universities of the world” will be provided with an opportunity
to set up campuses in the country ensuring international collaborations, and
student and faculty mobility.
8. All higher education will be governed by a single authority.
9. The same level of Accreditation will be granted to all educational institutions based on a “rating system”. Based on its ratings, institutions will reportedly receive autonomous rights and funds.
10. UGC AICTE will be merged.
11. By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be 4 years integrated B.Ed Degree
12.
NIOS to
reportedly develop high-quality modules for the “Indian Sign Language”
It is estimated that the previous education policy contributed 1.7% to the nations GDP whereas the trajectory for this policy could be somewhere around 6% to the nations GDP.
The plan is for the NEP to be introduced not in an “overly hurried manner” rather, a much more seamless manner where both students and professionals from the education industry will be able to adapt to it in a much better way. The government has plans for it to be completely integrated into the “system” by the next 5-10 years with its inception commencing from September or October 2020.