National Education Policy,2020

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi granted its approval to the National Education Policy 2020. The National Education Policy 2020 is expected to make way for large-scale transformations and reforms in schools as well as the higher education sector. It will replace the old National Policy on Education 1986, which had proved itself redundant and inflexible to accommodate the need of time.

Build on foundations of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability to align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it aims to make school and college education more holistic and flexible to suit the needs of the 21st century and to bring out the unique capabilities of every student. The vision of the National Education Policy is, “National Education Policy 2020 envisions an India-centric education system that contributes directly to transforming our nation sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing high-quality education to all”. 

School Education 

New 5+3+3+4 format – 

The new National Education Policy shifts from the decade-old 10+2 format to 5+3+3+4 (corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively) and restructures schools and higher education system to make it more flexible and accommodative of the integrated approach. 

School assessment scheme – 

The new school assessment scheme is expected to commence from 2022-2023. The new assessment scheme states that school exams of standards 3, 5, and 8 will be conducted to test the basic learning of the child with a 360-degree progress card.

Emphasis on Language Learning –

 A greater emphasis shall be laid on mother tongue/ vernacular language, and no language shall be imposed on any student. Sanskrit shall be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students, including in the three-language formula. Other classical languages and literature of India also to be available as options to students. Indian Sign Language shall be standardized and incorporated in the National and State curriculum for students with speech and hearing impairment. An array of an option of learning a foreign language shall be available at Secondary level.

Board Exams – 

the board exams of Class 10th and 12th shall be made easier and flexible to test core competencies rather than memorized facts. All students shall be allowed to take the exam twice.

Higher Education 

1. The policy proposes a broad-based, multi-disciplinary, and holistic approach towards Under-Graduate education. flexible curricula with creative combinations of subjects, integrated with vocational education, and multiple entries and exit points with appropriate certification shall be available to students.
2. Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) shall be established and recognized as the single overarching umbrella body for the entire higher education, excluding medical education and legal education. HECI shall have under itself

• National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation,
• General Education Council (GEC) for standard-setting,
• Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding, and
• National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation.

Public and private higher education institutions shall follow the same set of norms and regulations for accreditation, and the setting of academic standards

1. Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs) to be set up as models of best multidisciplinary education of global standards in the country. MERUs shall be treated at par with IITs, IIMs.
2. The National Research Foundation shall be established as an apex body for promotion of a strong research culture and for building research capacity across higher education.
3. Academic Bank of Credits to be set up for facilitating the transfer of Academic Credits.

Other Changes

1. National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) shall be an autonomous body that shall be established to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology and to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration of the same.
2. The policy clears path for foreign universities to have a campus in India.
3. Emphasis is laid on setting up of Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones for the benefit of disadvantaged regions and groups.
4. National Institute for Pali, Persian and Prakrit and Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation to be establish.
5. Increase in the investment by public in the Education sector to be increased up to 6% of GDP.

Our Word

To date, the strategy of maintaining the status quo of having a curriculum under a single ministry and implementation by several other ministries has always led to poor integration of ECCE with elementary education. multiple supervisory bodies by different institutions may lead to over-bureaucratization, redundancy, and rigidity in the regulation of the education system.

The policy clarifies the government's vision to set landmark changes to the education sector of the country.