NEP 2020: The Dawn of a New Era in Indian Education

National Education Policy or National Policy on Education is a government policy that was implemented first in 1968 by the Indira Gandhi led government and had reforms in 1986, 1992 and the latest being in 2020. The implementation of an education policy requires extensive research, pertinent decisions, and consultancy from a wide section of the society due to the vast array of culture and language in our country. The Latest Development in The National Education Policy was made By the Union Government on 29th July 2020. The onset and developments in this policy date back to 2015, when a committee formed under Cabinet Secretariat TSR Subramaniam started the consultation process and was submitted in 2019 by ISRO chief Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan.

The National Education Policy as submitted by the Kasturirangan Committee submitted an education policy that seeks to address the following challenges facing the existing education system which are Quality, Affordability, Equity, Access, Accountability. NEP 2020 insisted on an expenditure of 6% of the GDP on education. The primary provision provided by the policy is to withdraw the compulsion of mandatory 3-language-learning of which English and Hindi are inclusive. NEP 2020 enables the student to opt a foreign language of his choice and provides emphasis on the student’s mother tongue as a medium of instruction. As more than 122 languages are spoken in India, language policy becomes a broad spectrum and should be decided by the respective states for its implementation.

Focusing on the eclectic framework, the accordance between ‘Foundational Literacy’ and ‘Numeracy’ is critical. The existing scheme of 10+2 mode of education which is 10 years of schooling and 2 years of intermediate is being replaced by the new 5+3+3+4 scheme which is 5 years of Foundational phase, 3 years of Preparatory phase, further 3 years of Middle schooling and 4 years of High Schooling. This system extends the range of RTE which now encompasses 3 to 18 years and enables students with a more seamless and inclusive transition from the preschool ages right to the higher classes (9 to 12). Exams which are currently being held after every academic year, would be conducted only for classes 2, 5 & 8. Revamping of Board Exams which includes 2 attempts and dividing the exam into subjective & objective prototype. Inclusion of coding from 6th grade and the extension of Midday Meal scheme to include breakfasts. Higher Education proposes a 4-year integrative learning process for a bachelor’s degree in any Undergraduate Program.

NEP emphasizes on vocational skill development for the youth. Students of all levels can engage in a plethora of vocational skills ranging from carpentry to coding, pottery to plumbing and many more, the holistic approach of combining sports and education also benefits the development of youth. Increasing scientific temperament, strengthening Indian languages, subject selection based on interest altogether give a head start to students all over. Indian youth encompass 27.5% of the Indian population. With flexibility and aptitude-oriented education for the youth and inclusion of marginalized sections as well as holistic and multidisciplinary education which reduces the dropout rates among youth.