The Policy emphasizes on the "21st Century Skills" such as mathematical thinking and scientific temperament besides reduction in the curriculum to core concepts. The new policy has been unveiled after a gap of 34 years with the last one released in 1986 and was partially altered in 1992.
From a three-year preschool to flexible undergrad years, there are several key amendments that will change the education system once the policy gets introduced. Those parents who are anxious about how the NEP 2020 will alter the future of their children, here are some key amendments to be noted.
Impact on school education
What does the new pedagogical framework of 5+3+3+4 mean?
The new framework will replace the 10+2 system. The 10+2 system will be divided into 5+3+3+4 format. This means the first five years of the school will comprise the foundation stage including three years of pre-primary school and classes 1 and class 2. The next three years will be divided into a preparatory stage from classes 3 to 5. Later three years of middle stage (classes 6 to 8), and four years of secondary stage (classes 9 to 12).
It means that three years of preschool, instead of two years, followed by the usual 12 years of schooling. Although several states already have three years of preschool most states consider two years. It is different for some states because the currently followed National Education Policy of 1986 does not prescribe the duration of preschool.
What are the other key changes in school education?
The new addition has been made in the vocational education by including carpentry and more to start from Class VI, and “with internships”, rather than Class VIII. Vocational crafts, such as carpentry, electric work, metal work, gardening, pottery making, etc., as decided by States and local communities will be introduced from Class 6-8.
The three-language learned by children will remain the choices of states, regions, and of the students until at least two of the three languages are native to India.
Students up to Class V in vernacular-medium schools will be taught in their mother tongue/regional language instead of the dominant language of the state. For example, if Magahi children living in areas dominated by their community in Bihar will be taught in the Magahi language instead of Hindi. (This does not apply to English-medium schools)
Students of class 6 and onwards will be taught coding in schools as a part of 21st century skills.
The progress card of students will mention self-evaluation apart from feedback from peers besides the usual teacher’s assessment.
What does it mean for higher education?
Another noted change will be the duration of general-stream undergraduate courses to be four years, with the option to exit with a certificate at the end of the first year, a diploma at the end of the second, a bachelor’s degree at the end of the third and a bachelor’s research degree at the end of the fourth.
The most significant change being introduced in the policy is the curriculum. For instance, a physics student will now have the option to choose history as a pass subject rather than chemistry or mathematics
Also, those dropping out in the middle of a programme can rejoin the course later and resume from where they left/
MA and MSc courses will last just one year for those with four-year graduate degrees, and two years for those with three-year degrees
It is important to note that MPhil will also be abolished.
A Higher Education Commission of India will be set up as a single, overarching body for the whole of higher education, excluding medical, dental and legal education.
Concerns regarding Board exams
Board exams for Classes X and XII will continue. Students will be allowed to choose for their board exams an extra-curricular subject such as dancing, or a vocational subject such as carpentry. The board exams will be made ‘easier’. The Class 10 board exams and Class 12 board exams will test primarily “core capacities, competencies rather than months of coaching or memorisation”. Board exams will not be cancelled.
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