The new National educational policy of this era has replaced the 34-year-old system on education. The policy aims to build a global viable education system to make school and college education more productive, holistic, and flexible. The system enables students to become engaged and capable citizens to build an equitable and multidisciplinary society. The policy is all-inclusive to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society by making academic and vocational training in both rural and urban areas. It is good to see that the policy helps to escape current rote learning and more focus on core concepts rather than covering the syllabus.
School Education:
Under the NEP 2020, the present uniform 10+2 structure of school curricula has been replaced with a 5+3+3+4 pedagogy design. The policy will be implemented as follow:
- The Foundational Stage:
This stage comprises of students between the ages of 3-8 years. This is further split into two parts: The first three years of preschool and the next two years followed by grades 1-2 in primary schools. They emphasize on activity-based learning. Also, this stage comprises of learning exercises like- good behavior, teamwork, hygiene, and cooperation.
- The Preparatory Stage:
This stage includes students of age 8-11 years studying in grades 3-5 in schools. They focus on play-based learning by introducing interactive classroom learning. This stage gradually covers subjects like speaking, reading, writing, artistic learning, languages, science, physical education, and mathematics.
- The Middle Stage:
The stage covers students of age 11-14 years studying in grades 6-8 in schools. This stage has to widen the scope of learning and introduces a more abstract concept to students. This stage includes learning subjects of sciences, arts, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities.
- The Secondary Stage:
This stage includes students of ages 14-19 years studying in grades 9 to 12 in schools. This stage is subdivided into two stages: The first phase will cover grades 9 & 10 and the second will cover grades 11 & 12. This stage inculcates four years of multidisciplinary study, associate with greater depth and critical thinking. The High School Stage enables greater flexibility and also provide exposure to more subject and more choices.
This system of policy focus on rebuilding the curriculum and make the Board exam assessment easier by reducing the syllabus. It also increased the liability of vocational education at an early age. The students will go through vocational subjects after grade 6 and also include internship opportunities. This transformation promotes application-based learning and makes the content more interactive. It enables students to learn with their specific interests and boost the power of critical and analytical thinking.
Mother tongue and Power of Language:-
As it is very well said,"Languages preserves our culture and helps us to give structure to our thoughts". The policy raises preference to mother tongue and regional language as a medium of instruction until at least grade 5, and willingly do till grade 8 and beyond. The policy states that students may grasp challenging concepts quickly in the home language. There is no language imposed on students compulsory. The emphasis given on languages will promote multilingualism and also make our education system more inclusive. Thus, it strengthens the power of language and organized the population of our country by imparting unbiased education.
Higher Education:-
The ministry has majorly focused on the provocation of this era of education of schools and higher education. Under the NEP, it proposes an undergraduate program of a 4-year multi-disciplinary bachelor's degree with multiple exit options. The policy will be implemented on basis of professional and vocational areas. The colleges will be mandated to allow for the awarding of certificate after completing 1 year. Advanced diploma after completing 2 years of study. After completion of the 3-years program, a Bachelor's degree will be given. Along with an academic bank of credits, a 4 years multidisciplinary Bachelor's degree will be rewarded.
Thus, the college affiliation system allows innovative curriculum linked to the industry's needs and helps students in placement. This faster modification of the higher education sector ensures flexibility of subjects of their choice and complete education without any restrictions. The transformation lays a strong foundation for our economic growth and privileges of our young generation with high skills, knowledge, and values.
Teacher Education:-
The NEP 2020 brings many changes to the education system. For the teacher's education, it is stated that the teacher recruitment system will be intensified. The minimum requirement needed for a teacher is a bachelor of education by 2030. The National Council for Teacher Education will frame a common guiding set of National professionals for Teacher Education by 2022. The main aim of the policy is to strengthen the teacher's ability by organizing workshops to develop their skills and knowledge. To establish an upraised education system students are taught by highly qualified, motivated, passionate, professionally trained teachers. Thus, the well-equipped teacher's recruitment is mandatory.
Conclusion:-
The National Education policy 2020 seems to be exaggerated to eradicate the old system and modifies the Indian education system. The system helps to benefit the new generation in different stages of development and dominate global education. Thus, NEP has the potentials to create a young generation to adapt many critical skills and come up with an innovative approach to work and life. The policy has maintained a balance between modern interdisciplinary approaches and traditional education and adapts the right tools to revamp youth skills. Thus, there is no doubt in saying that the new education policy proves to be progressive and enhances employability to make India the most leading countries in the world.
