On 29 July, 2020 The New Education Policy got its approval from Union Cabinet with many transformational reforms in school and higher education system. It is the replacement of 34-year old National Policy on Education, 1986.

What motivation does 21st Century’s Education Policy brings to us?

During this phase various economic and social changes took place in our country and the education system is the stakeholder of building up the pillars to cope up with the changes in the commercial environment.

Therefore, it is necessary to bring the changes at all the levels of education system. So, as per the economic and social upgradation this new education policy brings us the motivation to grab the success with the help of superficial knowledge and skills inherited at every level of education system.

The formulation of NPE by the government was initiated via consultation process for an inclusive, participatory, and holistic approach. After an unprecedented formulation of consultation, it has been formulated involving around 2 lakh suggestions from 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, 6600 Blocks, 6000 ULBs, 676 Districts. From January 2015, the MHRD initiated an unprecedented collaborative, inclusive, and highly participatory consultation process.

Know the school facts under NPE

NPE aims at the universalization of education from pre-school to secondary level with 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030.

• The NEP 2020 will bring 2 crores out of school children back into the mainstream through the open schooling system.

• The current 10+2 system in the school will be replaced by a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively. Under the school curriculum, this new system will bring an uncovered age group of 3 to 6 years. This is the age that has been recognised globally as the crucial stage for the development of mental faculties of a child.

• According to the new policy, there will be 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/ pre-schooling.

• From class 6, Vocational Education will start with internships.

• Teaching up to at least Grade 5 will be in mother tongue or regional language. Imposition of any language on students will be prohibited.

• Assessment reforms with Holistic Progress Card (360 degree) and for achieving learning outcomes progress of the students will be tracked.

• NCTE in consultation with NCERT will formulate a new and comprehensive National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, NCFTE 2021. The minimum degree of qualification for teaching will be 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree by 2030.

Higher Education Facts

• By 2035, In higher education, Gross Enrolment Ration to be raised to 50% and 3.5 crore seats to be added in higher education.

• Higher Education curriculum to possess Flexibility of Subjects.

• Various Entry/ Exit to be allowed with relevant certification.

• Establishment of Academic Bank of Credits will facilitate the transfer of credits.

• For fostering a strong research culture and building research capacity across higher education, National Research Foundation will be created as an apex body.

• Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up for the entire higher education, excluding medical and legal education. It will be a single overarching umbrella body.

• Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will have four independent verticals namely National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation,  General Education Council (GEC ) for standard-setting, Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding,  and National Accreditation Council( NAC) for accreditation.

• In 15 years, Affiliation System to be phased out with graded autonomy to colleges.

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