How is NEP revolutionizing the education sector?

The new National Education Policy 2020 (NEP), approved by the Union Cabinet of India, replaced the old National Policy on Education from 1986, and it has completely changed the organizational framework of the Indian educational system. The new policy covers all levels of education, from primary to higher education and vocational training in rural and urban India. It outlines the vision of India’s new education system and aims to transform it by 2040. The primary focus areas include K–12 education, post-secondary education, career training, lifelong learning, technology integration into educational discourse, and promotion of Indian languages and culture.

The new National Education Policy replaces the pre-existing 10+2 model with the ‘5+3+3+4’ design, focusing on hands-on learning and improving the teaching-learning outcomes, by introducing vocational education in the form of internships to instil skills from an early phase in life targeting student’s holistic development. The policy also seeks to raise the GER for higher education to 50% by 2035.

The introduction of NEP has brought in a lot of reforms and new developments in the higher education sector.

Some of the salient features are outlined below.

•  Single regulatory body for higher education:
  The NEP aims to establish the Higher Education Commission of India, which will act as the single regulatory body except for legal and medical education.
• Multiple entry and exit programmes:
  The students will have multiple entry and exit options, and their credits will be transferred through the Academic Bank of Credits.
•  Tech-based option for adult learning through apps and TV channels:
  There will be the development of high-quality technology-based solutions for adult learning, including apps, online courses and modules, satellite TV channels, online books, ICT-equipped libraries, and adult education centres, among others.
• E-courses to be available in regional languages:
  The e-courses will be available in regional languages, starting with eight major languages.
• Foreign universities to set up campuses in India:
  The world’s top 100 foreign universities will be facilitated to operate in India through a new law.
• Common entrance exam for all colleges:
  The common entrance exam for all higher education institutes is to be held by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam will be optional.
• Higher Education Council of India (HECI) will be set up to regulate higher education

The HECI will have four verticals:

a) National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC)

b) National Accreditation Council (NAC)

c) Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC)

d) General Education Council (GEC)

National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), with its revolutionary goal, is seen as an enabler of placing the education system of India ahead of many developed countries. Let’s look at some key points governing the K-12 education system.

• Foundational stage (5 years): The first five years of a child’s education will be the focus of the foundational stage. Children will be educated in Anganwadi, Balvatika, or community-based nurseries for the first three years of their education. They will acquire the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for learning during the remaining two years of school, which will involve multilevel and play/activity-based learning.
• Preparatory stage (3 years): The preliminary stages emphasize developing fundamental literacy and numeracy skills in children aged 8 to 11. Students will improve their comprehension of topics in many subjects during the preparatory phase.
• Middle stage (3 years): The middle stage in school education will include children from the age group of 11-14. Students will acquire fundamental academic abilities like reading, writing and language proficiency during this period. They will also develop life skills, including collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Secondary stage (4 years): In the secondary stage, students aged 14-18 will be expected to finish a core curriculum comprising English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. They will also have the option to select from various electives, such as language, art and vocational courses. The secondary stage strives to give pupils the knowledge and abilities they need to prepare for post-secondary education or enter the workforce.

The above-mentioned points highlight the new K-12 model of education in India is inclined and focused on the overall development of the students. It lays down a strong base for the students and empowers them with the required skills to secure jobs, which will, in turn, contribute to the country’s growth.

Conclusion

The National Education Policy (2020) will undoubtedly transform India’s education landscape. It also considers the country’s need for solid solutions to support economic development and progress. The NEP-2020 strongly emphasizes teaching students crucial 21st-century skills like problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, digital literacy, experiential learning and global competency to aid them in becoming the key-decision makers of tomorrow. The policy has also recognized the necessity to modernize the entire educational system through the appropriate use of technology, which can be supported by a number of edtech companies as they have the resources to enable tech-based learning for the students.

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