The New Education Policy 2020: Can it revamp the Indian education system?

The New Education Policy 2020 (NEP), is the first in 24 years, approved by the Union Cabinet, and it aims at the universalization of education from pre-school to secondary level. It introduces many reformations in the Indian Education System and brings it closer to global standards. Focused on minimizing rote learning, NEP is being looked at as a promising model which has been bought to India. The policy is set on the consolidated feedback of 2.5 lakh village-level stakeholders, 2 national parliamentary level committees, and more than 50 months of consultations.

While we understand the importance of education in shaping our lives, we also recognize several issues which require to be taken care of. Starting from equal respect to all subjects, evaluation system, educator’s training, introduction to technology, to personalized education. NEP 2020 addresses these issues and also establishes the Ministry of Education, formerly the Ministry of Human Resources Development. With the target to completely implement the policy in 2040, the government will slowly implement the policy key points one after other, while garnering funds to maintain the proposals.

NEP 2020: The Policy

From school to higher education, NEP aims at revising all aspects of the Indian Education structure. It will revamp the regulations and governance, create a new system aligned with aspirational goals of the 21^st century, while weighing the Indian traditions and values.

Introduction of a multi entry and exit four-year undergraduate degree, removing M.Phil, and establishing fee examination for private and public institutions are some critical features of NEP. It aims at creating a global best education system rooted in Indian ethos, thereby reconstructing India into a worldwide knowledge superpower. It reaffirms bridging social gaps in access, participation, and learning outcomes in school education as the programme’s primary goal.

According to the government, the policy will prove beneficial in enabling an individual to study one or more specialized areas of interest at a deep level, while developing a student’s personality, creativity, scientific temper, and the spirit of service across a spectrum of disciplines, including sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, among others.

Highlights of NEP 2020

The NEP has the following features:

• It will create an independent state school regulatory authority to oversee key areas
• Provide pre-primary education to all by 2025
• Compulsory education for the age group of 3-18 years by 2030
• Adds the Languages of India to preserve all local languages
• Setup International Students Office at all institutions to host foreign students
• No hard separation of arts and sciences
• Introduction of vocational subjects
• Establish a National Research Foundation to fund outstanding research proposals
• New 5+3+3+4 circular education structure
• Setup the National Education Commission headed by the Prime Minister

New Education Policy: The Structure

The new education structure will be based on four overall divisions of 5, 3, 3, and 4 years. The foundation is of a 5-year division further divided into two segments of 3 years of pre-schooling and 2 years for class 1 and 2. It will cater to ages 3-8 years old. The foundation stage focuses on a multi-level activity-based learning. It is followed by the preparatory phase of 3 years from classes 3-5 and ages 8-11, which focuses on play, discovery, and interactive classroom learning. The middle division which follows preparatory is also of 3 years from classes 6-8 and ages 11-14 and aims at experiential learning in science, mathematics, arts, humanities, and social sciences. Last in the hierarchy is the secondary division of four years from classes 9-12 and ages 14-18. This stage focuses on multi-disciplinary study, development of critical thinking, flexibility, and choice of subjects.

Other than the new divisions, a National Curriculum framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) 2021 will be made by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

A more practical approach will help students, parents, and teachers to make choice-based decisions, and create a healthy mix of human learning and knowledge.

Read More: In light of NEP 2020, how should parents select private schools?

Proposed Changes to the Education System

In the key features of the NEP 2020, public sector spending on education by states and center will be raised to 6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Ministry of Human Resources Development will be renamed to Ministry of Education, and a separate unit will be setup to develop digital education resources. Mother tongue will be used as a medium of instruction till class 5 wherever possible, and board exams will be redesigned to be easier. 

In higher education, a new umbrella regulator will manage all higher education except medical and legal courses. The Under-graduation degrees will be more flexible, holistic, and multi-disciplinary for 3–4-year programs. The college affiliation system will be phased out in 15 years. In other changes, the National Education Technology Forum (NETF) will be set up to support free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning and assessment.

The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to facilitate an inclusive, participatory, and holistic approach, which considers field experiences, research, stakeholder feedback, and lessons from past. It is a progressive shift towards a more practical approach to education. The new structure will cater to the ability of children in cognitive, social, and physical awareness development stages. If implemented well and in its true vision, it will bring India at par with countries leading education world across.

NEP 2020: Implementation Challenges

Although the NEP has the capability to revolutionize the India Education system, it will face failure if the government underestimates the cost and time for implementation due to over optimism. Further, implementation in dispersed governances will also create a roadblock in tailoring education to fit all. Lack of collaboration with stakeholders can also derail the envisioned changes, and rapid switch in ruling government will extend the timelines.

Designed to ease the classroom burden of teaching and examinations, NEP 2020 will play a very important role in creating the future of Indian Education System. However, it’s success lies in uniform and transparent implementation and proper distribution of resources. If development, accountability, and performance are held as the key pillars of supporting teachers, students, and other stakeholders, the new system has the potential to revamp the Indian Education system.

Can NEP 2020 revamp the Indian education system?

A policy very well implemented can as well derail within years due to lack of oversight. The New Education Policy 2020 can revamp the Indian education system if:

• Job roles are clearly defined
• Performance is measured periodically
• Greater alignment is promoted
• A timely feedback mechanism is setup

It’s success, however, lies in the uniform and transparent implementation at all levels, with a fair distribution of resources. This mammoth task will realize 100% cooperation and collaboration between the Central, State Government, and the Ministry of Education.

Bibliography

Desk, I. T. W. (2019, August 9). 7 immediate changes needed in the Indian education system. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/7-immediate-changes-needed-in-the-indian-education-system-1579167-2019-08-09

Jagtiani, T. (2021, January 6). NEP 2020: Hits and misses. India Development Review. https://idronline.org/nep-2020-hits-and-misses

Mathur, N. B. P. S. K. B. |. (2020, October 22). NEP 2020: Implementation of New Education Policy in our education system. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/nep-2020-implementation-of-new-education-policy-in-our-education-system/story-bw4OiekFCamI7NPoNkgAoJ.html

National Education Policy, 2020. (2020). Drishti IAS. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020

Sabat, S. (2020, July 31). When new education policy 2020 will be implemented? What is the education policy? Republic World. https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/education/what-is-new-education-policy-2020-and-when-will-be-implemented.html

About The Author

Vasu Goel is a passionately curious individual driven by the desire to learn more. He holds a Bachelors in Commerce from the University of Delhi and is pursuing an MBA from IIM Udaipur. An avid learner he holds a variety of certifications in strategy, business management, communication, and design thinking.

He is a successful blogger with several followers. Outside of the professional life, he is a proficient guitarist, flautist and a photographer. He also loves to read and is inspired by the book ‘The Art of War‘ by Sun Tzu.