National Education Policy (NEP 2020)

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS OF NEP 2020

The most recent policy document at that time was the National Education Policy 2020(NEP 2020), which was approved by the Union Cabinet of India in July 2020.

NEP 2020 proposed several significant recommendations aimed at transforming the Indian education system. Here are some key highlights from the NEP 2020.

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE):

The policy emphasizes the importance of ECCE and aims to ensure free and compulsory education for all children aged 3 to 6 years.

School Education:

The NEP 2020 introduced several changes in school education, including a new 5 + 3 + 3 + 4 curricular and pedagogical structure. This structure comprises 12 years of schooling, with three years of Anganwadi/Pre-schooling.

The 10+2 system will be divided into 5 + 3 + 3 + 4 format. This indicates that the foundation stage will last for the first five years of school(Pre-School to 2nd Class). Preparatory stage (Classes 3rd to 5th ). Middle school(Classes 6th to 8th ) and four years of secondary school (classes 9th to 12th).

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy:

The policy focuses on ensuring that every child achieves foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3 through dedicated initiatives and teacher training.

Multidisciplinary Education:

NEP 2020 promotes multidisciplinary education by allowing students to choose subjects from various streams and eliminating rigid separations between arts and sciences.

Students will have the freedom to enroll in any courses they wish as there won’t be any fixed streams of arts, commerce, science, etc. in schools.

Language preference:

The three-language system will be more flexible, and no State will be forced to use a particular language. States, regions, and students will choose the three languages that children learn.

Sanskrit will be offered as an option at all levels of school and higher education.

The medium of teaching will be in the home language/mother tongue/regional language until at least grade 5, and preferably until grade 8 and beyond.

Curriculum and Assessment Reforms:

The policy aims to reduce curriculum content to essential topics, promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and conceptual understanding. It suggests a shift from rote learning to experiential and skill-based learning. Continuous assessment and comprehensive progress tracking are also emphasized.

Teacher Education:

NEP 2020 calls for the transformation of teacher education programs, ensuring the highest quality of teachers. It suggests the implementation of a four-year integrated B.Ed. program and continuous professional development for teachers.

Exit options in degree courses (MEES):

The undergraduate degree, which is of 3 to 4-year duration, will have multiple entry and exit options.

If a student decides to drop out after one year, he or she will get a certificate in a discipline or field, including vocational and professional sectors.

Students who leave their studies after two and three years will get a diploma and a Bachelor’s degree, respectively.

However, the four-year interdisciplinary Bachelor’s program will be the preferred choice and, if a student pursues a project alongside it, will award a degree with research.

Higher Education:

The policy advocates for the establishment of a new regulatory framework for higher education institutions (HEIs). It encourages multidisciplinary education, flexible undergraduate programs, increased use of technology, and internationalization of education.

Vocational Education:

NEP 2020 aims to integrate vocational education from Class 6 onwards, ensuring that students have opportunities to acquire practical skills and knowledge.

Beginning in Class 6, students will take coding lessons and participate in vocational pursuits.

Technology in Education:

The policy highlights the importance of leveraging technology for teaching, learning, and assessment. It encourages the integration of technology into education at all levels.

Equity and Inclusion:

NEP 2020 emphasizes inclusivity and aims to bridge the gender, socio-economic, and regional gaps in education. It promotes the inclusion of children with disabilities and marginalized sections of society.

 Academic Bank of Credit (ABC):

The academic credits obtained from different accredited HEIs will be digitally stored by the ABC so that degrees from an HEI can be conferred taking into account credits earned.

A comparable initiative is now in a place where students can choose a degree-related course on the government’s SWAYAM online learning platform. Credits for that course will be awarded to the student and support their evaluation for their degree course as well.

National Curriculum Framework 
for School Education 2023

NATIONAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK (NCF)

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India provides a framework for the development of a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF). The NCF is intended to guide the development of curricula across different stages of education. 

Here I provide you with the broad recommendations outlined in the NEP 2020 that are expected to shape the National Curriculum Framework. Here are some key highlights:

Emphasis on Holistic Learning:

The NCF is expected to emphasize holistic and multidisciplinary learning, integrating various subjects and domains of knowledge.

Focus on Core Concepts and Skills:

The curriculum framework will prioritize core concepts, essential knowledge, and skills across subject areas. It aims to promote critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and experiential learning.

Flexibility and Choice:

The NCF will provide flexibility and choice to students in selecting subjects, courses, and learning pathways. It aims to reduce the emphasis on rigid subject divisions and encourage multidisciplinary approaches.

Integration of Vocational Education:

The NCF will likely emphasize the integration of vocational education and skill development into the mainstream curriculum to enhance students' employability and practical skills.

Use of Technology:

The curriculum framework will explore the effective use of technology in education, including digital resources, online learning platforms, and tools for interactive and personalized learning.

Focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy:

The NCF will prioritize the development of foundational literacy and numeracy skills in the early years of education to ensure strong foundational learning.

Local and Indigenous Knowledge:

The curriculum framework is expected to recognize and integrate local knowledge, cultural diversity, and indigenous practices to make education more inclusive and contextually relevant.

Assessment Reforms:

The NCF will likely propose assessment reforms to move away from a rote memorization-based approach. It may suggest alternative assessment methods that focus on comprehensive evaluation, formative assessment, and skill-based assessments.

Teacher Empowerment and Professional Development:

The NCF is expected to emphasize the importance of teacher empowerment, continuous professional development, and training aligned with the new curriculum approaches and pedagogical methods.

Inclusion and Equity:

The NCF will likely have a strong focus on promoting inclusion, addressing educational disparities, and ensuring equitable access to quality education for all learners, including marginalized and disadvantaged groups.

Mathematics Learning Outcomes (Suggested by NCF)

For Grade 3

Recognises, reads, and writes number names and numerals up to 999 using place value concept.

Compares and forms the greatest and smallest three-digit number (with and without repetition of given digits) using the place value concept.

For Grade 4
Recognises, reads, and writes number names and numerals up to 9999 using place value concept.

Compares and forms the greatest and smallest four-digit number (with and without repetition of given digits) using the place value concept.

For Grade 5

Reads, writes, and compares numbers bigger than 9999 (being used in her/his surroundings) using Indian numeration system.

For Grade 6

Uses variable(s) to write down formulas and equation.

For Grade 7

Uses number and variable with different operations and expresses a real-life situation in the form of a simple linear equation and vice versa.

Uses trial and error method and determines the solution of a simple equation.

For Grade 8

Reads, writes, and compares numbers bigger than 9999 (being used in her/his surroundings) using Indian numeration system.

Writes simple contextual problems as linear equations in one variable, finds its solution, and verifies.

For Grade 9

 Applies deductive logic to prove theorems related to parallel lines. Applies deductive logic to proves theorems related to triangles, congruence of triangles.

For Grade 10

Applies deductive logic to prove statements like  √2 is an irrational number, sum of two odds is even etc.

Applies deductive logic to prove theorems related to properties of quadrilaterals, areas of parallelograms and triangles, mid-point theorem and theorems related to circles.

 

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