Two Homework Hours A Week To No-Bag Days: Will Indian Schooling Change Under NEP?

The NEP covers all aspects of education, from preschool to higher education, and also promotes vocational training and skilling in both urban and rural areas.

Students studying in School. (Representative Image.) ( Image Source :File photo/AFP )

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a landmark document that aims to transform the Indian education system and make it more holistic, inclusive, and equitable. The NEP covers all aspects of education, from preschool to higher education, and also promotes vocational training and skilling in both urban and rural areas. Its impact extends beyond the classroom, influencing how education is perceived, delivered, and experienced.  One of the most significant changes that the NEP proposes is the restructuring of the school education system from the current 10+2 model to a new 5+3+3+4 model.

It will tremendously impact student well-being. The introduction of 'no-bag' days for young children reflects a commitment to reduce the physical burden on students, allowing them to enjoy a more playful and stress-free early education. This move aligns with global trends in early childhood education, emphasising the importance of a nurturing and joyful learning environment.

The NEP's emphasis on experiential and project-based learning is poised to make learning more engaging and practical. By encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills, it aims to produce well-rounded individuals capable of thriving in a rapidly changing world. This shift towards multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning promotes creativity and innovation, nurturing students who can bridge the gap between various fields. 

Structure Of NEP

The NEP envisions a new structure for school education that consists of four stages: 

Foundational stage: This stage covers the age group of 3-8 years and includes three years of pre-primary education (also known as anganwadi or balvatika) and two years of grades 1 and 2. This stage will focus on developing the cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical abilities of children through play-based and activity-based learning. The curriculum will be flexible and multilingual, and will incorporate local culture and context. The NEP also recommends that children should not carry any bags or books to school at this stage.

Preparatory stage: This stage covers the age group of 8-11 years and includes grades 3 to 5. This stage will build on the foundational stage and introduce more formal and structured learning of subjects such as languages, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and physical education. The curriculum will be integrated and interdisciplinary, and will encourage experiential and project-based learning. The NEP also suggests that children should have no more than two hours of homework per week at this stage.

Middle stage: This stage covers the age group of 11-14 years and includes grades 6 to 8. This stage will expose students to more diverse and advanced subjects such as languages, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, physical education, and vocational skills. The curriculum will be exploratory and inquiry-based, and will foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The NEP also proposes that students should have at least one internship per year at this stage.

Secondary stage: This stage covers the age group of 14-18 years and includes grades 9 to 12. This stage will offer students more flexibility and choice in selecting their subjects and streams of study. The curriculum will be multidisciplinary and multidimensional, and will enable students to pursue their interests and passions. The NEP also recommends that students should have at least one student-led project per year at this stage.

The Benefits Of The New Model

The NEP claims that the new model of school education will have several advantages over the existing one:

- It will ensure universal access to quality education for all children from pre-primary to senior secondary level, regardless of their socio-economic background, gender, location, or ability.

- It will reduce the dropout rates and improve the retention rates of students by making education more relevant, engaging, enjoyable, and meaningful.

- It will enhance the learning outcomes and competencies of students by providing them with a holistic, integrated, experiential, and skill-based education that caters to their diverse needs and aspirations.

- It will promote the development of 21st-century skills such as creativity, innovation, collaboration, communication, digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, ethical reasoning, etc.

- It will foster a culture of lifelong learning among students by encouraging them to pursue their interests and passions beyond the school curriculum.

- It will prepare students for higher education and employment by giving them exposure to various disciplines and domains of knowledge and practice.

- It will strengthen the national identity and social cohesion of India by celebrating its rich diversity of languages, cultures, arts, and traditions.

The Challenges Ahead

While the NEP offers a visionary blueprint for transforming the Indian school education system, it also faces several challenges in its implementation. 

- The availability of adequate infrastructure, resources, funding, teachers, trainers, curriculum developers, assessment tools, etc. to support the new model.

- The alignment of the existing policies, schemes, programmes, institutions, boards, etc. with the new model.

- The coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders such as central government, state governments, UTs, autonomous bodies, private sector, civil society, parents, students, etc. to ensure smooth transition and effective execution of the new model.

- The awareness and acceptance of the new model among the public, especially the parents, students, and employers, who may have some reservations or misconceptions about the changes.

- Moreover, a successful transition from the traditional system to the NEP's novel approach requires comprehensive teacher training and professional development. Teachers must be equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver integrated, experiential, and multidisciplinary education effectively.

The Way Forward

The NEP 2020 is a historic and ambitious policy that has the potential to revolutionize the Indian school education system and make it more responsive, relevant, and resilient to the changing needs and demands of the 21st century. However, the success of the policy depends largely on how well it is implemented and monitored. Government bodies, state governments, autonomous institutions, and private entities must align their efforts to support a smooth transition. Public awareness campaigns will play a vital role in dispelling misconceptions and garnering acceptance for the changes introduced.  Therefore, it is imperative that all the stakeholders work together in a spirit of partnership, cooperation, and innovation to make the NEP a reality and ensure that every child in India receives a high-quality and holistic education that prepares them for life, work, and citizenship.

(This Article is authored by Dr. Maithili Tambe, CEO of The Academy School (TAS), Pune)