By Rakshdeep Kaur
“Education Is the Premise Of Progress”
With New Education Policy paving its path into our education system and revitalizing the old system after 34 years on the recommendation of the Committee headed by ISRO scientist Mr. Kasturi Ranjan, the NEP has declared its terms on 29th July 2020. While introducing itself as the Ministry Of Education, the Ministry of Human Resource Development made humongous announcements such as spending 6%of the GDP on the implementation of this reformed education pointers.
The new draft of education policy is a comprehensive 440-page document and covers solutions to the majority of problems that ail the Indian education system. The focus has been on modernizing the curriculum whilst keeping the traditional values intact. More focus has been given on Indian civilization. Few major takeaways from the policy are enlisted:
• 5+3+3+4 Structure
The abolishment of the 10+2 structure of education and setting up the new curricular in 5+3+3+4 format. The 4 stages namely, Foundation, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary stage would now be implemented and will be following the ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively. The Foundation Stage (5) includes playschool (3 years to 6 years) till Class 2 for multi-level playful learning. The Preparatory Stage (3) would consist of Classes 3 to 5 for innovative active learning. The Middle stage (3) from Class 6 to Class 8 for experimental and analytical learning and the Secondary Stage (4) from Classes 9 to 12 for multidisciplinary learning with greater analytical thinking.
• Schoolcurriculum with coding and Vocational education
This will be included from the 6th grade onward and it will include internships as well as mentorship programs from specialized local experts in that particular vocational field.
• An Academic Bank of Credit
The Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) will be established which will act as a boon for all college-going students. This bank of credit would have an account of each student and it will store academic credits earned in digital form. These credit points then can be transferred and counted towards the final degree. This also opens Multiple entries and exit options for a student. One can easily switch/exit the course if he/she does not like it. The student will get a certificate, diploma, degree, or degree with research based on completion of 1st,2nd,3rd, and 4th year respectively.
• Multidisciplinary disciplinary Education and Research Universities
Education and Research Universities would be set up at par with IITs, IIMs as models that would be providing the best multidisciplinary education of global standards to all the students of the country. Students will have the opportunity to choose from flexible subject options as there will be no visible separation between Arts, Commerce, and Sciences subjects. Even the foreign educational institutions would be allowed to set up their campuses in India.
• Higher Education Commission of India
A single umbrella body for higher education would be set up, excluding medical and legal education. The Higher Education Commission of India will have four independent verticals namely-
1National Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation,
2. General Education Council (GEC) for standard-setting,
3. Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding,
4. National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation.
• Special Educational Zones
Some Districts would have Special Educational Zones where a large number of students face economic, caste, or social difficulties. These areas would be held under special focus and a proper way to handle and open educational institutions would be taken care of by certain authorities.
• Gender-Inclusion Fund
Gender-Inclusion funds will provide education to female and transgender students with equity and equality. NEP 2020 has focused to achieve 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio in school education and a 50 % Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education by 2030.
• Digital and centralized Education
To ensure equitable and universal access to education, great emphasis has been laid upon Digital and a Centralised Education system. The Ministry Of Education ensures to have a centralized education system with complete access by 2040.
• M. Phil degree will become extrinsic
The students could now apply for Ph.D. directly after completing their master’s degree.
Thus, NEP 2020 aims at research and creativity as its major areas and which are the two least explored aspects in our recent education system. Well the NEP would turn as a boon for our nation or would impediment our education system, only its implementation can tell.
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