New education policy – 2020

Aadesh

The New Education Policy – 2020 (hereinafter referred to as ‘The NEP’) replaces the 34-year old National Policy on Education, 1986. The policy has been formulated with a 2040 vision after consideration of over 2 lakh suggestions from the public

Changes in schooling

1. 3 years of pre-schooling for children aged 3 to 6 years old, after which they would be eligible for admission into schools.

2. Employing the mother tongue of children as the medium of instruction up to class 5.

3. No rigid separation among academic streams. Now, students are permitted to pursue subjects like physics and history at the same time, for classes 11 and 12.

4. Low stakes Board exams – Easier Board exams achieved by a reduction in syllabus to retain only ‘core essentials.’ The NEP also emphasizes on ‘experiential learning and critical thinking.’

5. Existing 10 + 2 structure broken down into a 5 + 3 + 3 + 4 structure [also known as Pedagogical Structure] as the latter ensures a smoother transition through school.

6. Teacher Eligibility Tests to be conducted on a National level. New teachers are expected to participate in at least 50 hours of professional development courses per year. By 2030, the minimum qualification for teaching would be a 4 year B.Ed. degree.

7. States to set up ‘Bal Bhavans’ to promote cultural activities and sports.

8. Privileged schools to share their facilities and faculties with schools having no means to access these benefits.

Changes in higher education

1. Multiple Entry and Exit Option – Colleges to give certificates after 1 year of completion, a diploma after 2 years and a degree after 3 years to students who choose to discontinue their higher education.

2. Discontinuation of the M Phil. Program in India.

3. Common entrance examination for universities to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

4. Academic Bank of Credit – Digital storage of academic credits earned from one higher education institution can be counted towards the final degree earned in the institution where the course is completed, to prevent fresh redo of the course.

Government Regulations

1. Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to serve as a single regulator for higher education, with exceptions granted to medical and legal education.

2. All universities are to become multidisciplinary.

3. Formation of the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) for free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance education.

Ministry of Human Resource Development to be renamed as the “Ministry of Education”.