National Education Policy 2020
- Change in early childhood education and school level (Foundational to Secondary)
New structure – 5+3+3+4
In the old 10+2 system, the first 10 years of a child were at the school level (Class 1–10) and the next 2 years were higher secondary (Class 11–12). In the current system:
- Foundational Stage (3–8 years): 3 years pre-primary + 2 years primary education (Class 1–2). It will be taught through sports, storytelling, singing, drawing, etc.
- Preparatory Stage (8–11 years): Classes 3–5. Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies will start.
- Middle Stage (11–14 years): Classes 6–8. Subject-wise learning will start. Coding and skill development will come here.
- Secondary Stage (14–18 years): Classes 9–12. There will be opportunities for multidisciplinary subject choices – such as music or art with mathematics.
- Medium language and multilingual education
- Recommendation to introduce teaching in the mother tongue of students (at least up to class 5, up to 8 if necessary).
- Education will be kept inclusive by following the Three Language Formula without imposing English.
- Importance of regional languages to maintain a connection with the child’s roots.
- Transformation of the higher education system
Goals:
- Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035.
- More flexibility and accessibility in higher education.
Measures: - Multidisciplinary Education – Opportunity to learn science, arts, commerce together.
- Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) – Credits can be transferred from one university to another to earn a degree.
- Multiple Entry and Exit:
o 1 year: Certificate
o 2 years: Diploma
o 3 years: Bachelor’s degree
o 4 years: Research degree
Cancelled: - MPhil degree has been canceled.
- Teacher Skills and Quality Improvement
- B.Ed course will be integrated for 4 years.
- Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and Professional Standards are mandatory in every school.
- Regular training and evaluation, so that teachers can provide timely and effective education.
- Skill Development and Employment-oriented Education
- From class 6, students will be able to learn vocational training, internships, handicrafts, coding, etc.
- This will develop job-related skills along with studies.
- Moral and Humanistic Education
- Includes Indian culture, history, art, literature, and spiritual education.
- Teaching moral values (truth, peace, non-violence, etc.) through education.
- Technology-enabled education and online learning
- Formation of National Educational Technology Forum (NETF).
- Online education, virtual labs, digital resources are easily accessible to all classes.
- NEP 2020 emphasizes digital learning in the post-COVID-19 era.
- Science, Research and Innovation
- Research and innovation will increase in higher education institutions.
- National Research Foundation (NRF) will be formed – which will fund research and improve quality.
- Administrative reforms and consolidation
- All higher education institutions will be under one umbrella:
Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), under which there will be 4 departments:
o National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) – regulation
o General Education Council (GEC) – curriculum
o Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) – funding
o National Accreditation Council (NAC) – accreditation
- National Institutes and Internationalization
- World-class universities will be created.
- India as a global education hub plan to attract international students.
- Appointment of world-class faculty and permission for foreign universities to open Indian campuses.