Introduction
The first National Education Policy came into force in 1968. Then in the year 1986, the second National Education Policy came into existence by the Rajiv Gandhi Government. This Policy was amended by the PV Narasimha Rao government in 1992.
After a long period, this National Education Policy is the primary education policy of the 21st century that aims at addressing various developmental imperatives in our country.
The Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy 2020 on July 29, 2020. This policy is based on the draft of the National Education Policy 2019, which was submitted by the Committee for Draft National Education Policy.
Education has always been the fundamental tool for achieving the full potential of a person, upgrading society and also promoting the development of the nation as a whole. Providing access to quality education is the key to unlocking economic growth, social justice, scientific advancement and social justice & equality.
National Education Policy 2020:
Noticeable changes in the Policy
The aim of the NEP 2020 is to introduce several changes in the Indian education system from the basic school to the college level. It also aims towards making “India a global knowledge superpower”.
To understand the changes brought forth by the policy, we lay down here all the essential key features of the National Education Policy 2020 that has been a game-changer in the education industry.
- The Policy seeks for changes in the school curriculum and pedagogy in the form of ‘5+3+3+4’ design so that education can be made efficient to the requirements and interests of learners.
- The policy aims to achieve ‘universal foundational literacy and numeracy’ in the primary sections by the year 2025. For this purpose, the National Mission on Foundation Literacy and Numeracy will be set up.
- These same rules will apply to the Private and Public schools – all will be assessed through the same criteria and protocols.
- The GER or the Gross Enrollment Ratio should be 100 per cent by the year 2030. Universal participation in schools shall be utmost and their learning levels shall be tested to ensure they are still enrolled and coming to their school.
- The three-language formula shall be implemented in schools, where one language will strictly be the student’s mother tongue.
- The Government of India will constitute a ‘Gender Inclusive Fund’ to provide equal educational opportunities to girls and transgender students. The fund established will be included in the provisions for sanitation, conditional cash transfers etc. The Centre and State shall also work to increase the investment in education to 6 per cent of the GDP, the current percentage of public investment is 4.43%
- The school system will also be standardized by including Indian Sign Language across the curriculum.
- The Policy discontinues M.Phil programmes in the country.
- The National Education Policy also sets up provisions for high performing Indian universities to have their campuses in other countries.
These are some of the noticeable changes that have come forth with the New Education Policy of 2020. Transforming the current system and with better plans ahead for the years to come in education.
Conclusion
The new National Education Policy aims to facilitate an all-inclusive, holistic and participatory approach towards education. It is important to pave the way for better education channels. A change in structure is therefore always needed. And therefore the new Policy has emphasised the integration of technology in all levels of education.
The policy encourages various changes in the way students and institutions perform. It also lays down more responsibility on the Government to play its part in supporting and constituting a stronger education system in the country.
Reference:
https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf
