The Union Cabinet of India approves the new education policy and focuses on delivering high-quality education and empowering students with job-centric skills.
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The New Education Policy (NEP) was approved by the Union Cabinet of India with the aim to reform India's education system by reducing school curriculums and eliminating MPhil programs.
The policy also aims to develop both theory and creative potential among children. It aims at the overall development of individuals with more emphasis on practical learning and skill development.
New Education Policy: Overview
The government has adopted a new education policy, eliminating the 10 + 2 structure. The curriculum was reorganised into five parts: primary to second grade, third to fifth grade, sixth to eighth grade, and ninth to 12th grade.
The new education policy aims in positioning India as a International Education Hub and superpower in the world. Candidates can go through the new education policy overview stated below.
| Overview on New Education Policy | |
|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | New Education Policy 2021 (NEP) |
| Name of Ministry | Union Cabinet Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India |
| HRD Minister | Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank |
| Launched by | Central Government of India |
| Beneficiaries | Students of India |
| Major Benefit | Provide New Reforms and Infrastructure In India |
| New Education Policy 2021 2020 Launched Date | 29 July 2020 |
| Scheme Objective | Education System Reform |
| Scheme under | State Government |
| Name of State | All India |
| Post Category | Scheme/ Yojana |
| Official Website | www.mhrd.gov.in |
| New Education Policy PDF | Download Now |
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What is New Education Policy?
The Indian government's original National Education Policy (NEP) was drafted in 1986, was last modified in 1992. The government realising the setbacks of the old policy aimed to create a new education policy to modernise the education system. In July 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the New Education Policy to make India a global knowledge superpower.
The Ministry of Education was renamed in response to the New Educational Policy. The policy is designed to align with the 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is based on the Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability pillars.
It aims in overall development of students including, sports, creativity and science. Candidates will be able to choose subjects based on their interest rather than blindly following the stream structure.
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Objectives of New Education Policy
The new education policy 2024 aims to bring holistic learning, practical oriented syllabus, job centric skill development, technology, quality education in the classroom environment. Candidates csn go through the objectives of the New Education Policy stated below.
- Recognize and grow each child's potential
- Design literacy and numeracy learning among children
- Present flexible learning options
- Fund in a public education system
- Strategize quality education
- Bind children to Indian culture
- Execute top-notch research
- Teach reasonable control and empower students
- Develop a transparent Education Policy
- Emphasize the application of technology
- Emphasise evaluation of students' performance
- Introduce different languages
- Develop student's creativity and logical thinking abilities
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Requirement of New Education Policy
The New National Education Policy in 2020 addressed the shortcomings of the Indian education system. It highlighted setbacks, like memorization over understanding concepts and multiple boards with different learning methods.
A primary objective of the policy was to bridge the gap between formal and informal education, addressing the lack of focus on vocational skills and the prioritisation of traditional subjects. A comprehensive and effective education system was intended to address these issues.
Thus, a new education policy came into existence, which focused on creative development and interest-based learning curricula.
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Important Highlights of the New Education Policy
There are several changes in the new education policy that has been implemented in the Indian education system. Candidates can go through the changes stated below.
1. Children can Start Schooling Early
The new system will consist of 12 years of formal education and three years of Anganwadi/pre-school education. The 10+2 school curriculum framework will be replaced with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, emphasising Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). Previously, children received three years of unofficial schooling called pre-schooling in the education system.
2. Mother Tongue is the Medium of Instruction
The New Educational Policy (NEP) emphasises native language learning as the primary teaching medium but doesn't promote compulsory language learning. The policy suggests using the mother tongue as an instruction medium rather than being mandatory.
The home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language will be used until Grade 5 or Grade 8 and beyond, after which the home or local language will be taught as a language. The mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction for students was not mandatory previously.
3. No UGC, AICTE, NCTE Boards
The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) is established as a single umbrella body for all higher education in India, excluding medical and legal education. Regulation, accreditation, and academic standards will all be controlled by the same rules for public and private higher education institutions.
The government will phase down college affiliation in 15 years and establish a stage-by-stage procedure for giving colleges graded autonomy.
4. No More Science, Arts, and Commerce Streams
The new education policy aims at no formal distinctions between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, or vocational and academic programs. Candidates can select from a variety of disciplines throughout various streams. Students will get internships and vocational training in sixth grade.
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5. FYUP Programme Returns & No Dropouts Scheme
Under the New Educational Policy, undergraduate degrees will last three or four years, with several certificate exits or diplomas available. Colleges must award certificates, diplomas, or bachelor's degrees after one year of study in a topic or field, including vocational and professional fields.
Academic credits earned at different HEIs will also be stored digitally in an Academic Bank of Credit so they can be transferred and counted toward a degree.This policy implements necessary adjustments, eliminating a uniform system and promoting transparency.
It establishes a single national agency to oversee the entire education system, ensuring common access at all school-level education. New Education Policy aims to provide universal access to school education, ensuring holistic student development.
It tracks progress and learning capacity, allowing students to access formal and informal teaching methods. The policy also mandates vocational education courses from preschool to 12th standard, emphasising the inclusion of trained counsellors and social workers in the schooling system. This policy extends beyond knowledge and skills.
6. Attaining Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Early
The New Educational Policy (NEP) has directed states to implement FLN in primary school curriculums by 2025. The policy focuses on experiential learning, equipping students with 21st-century skills and reducing course content. Vocational education will be available in 6th-8th grade, along with internship opportunities.
The New Educational Policy also targets to increase the graduate enrollment ratio, aiming for 50% by 2035 from 26.3%, respectively. It is in response to a recent decrease in students opting for higher education.
The New Educational Policy also aims to reduce student dropout rates by offering multiple exit options in higher education. Overall, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy are vital prerequisites for holistic student development.
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7. Standard Improvement of Open and Distance Learning
The government initiated distance learning programmes to par with regular courses. The government has taken measures like online courses, digital repositories, funding for better student services and research, and credit-based honour of MOOCs, among others.
8. Technical Innovation in Education
As a free exchange of ideas related to technology usage in enhancing the academic experience, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) will be started as an independent body by the government. Technology integration is anticipated to improve classroom procedures, enhance teachers' professional development, and facilitate better education planning for children.
9. Indian Education Internationalisation
New Educational Policy aims to promote the internationalisation of Indian education. It seeks to encourage global collaborations between institutions and universities. It has introduced faculty exchange programs, and supports top world universities to open campuses in India.
10. Education as a Profitable Investment
The New Education Policy aims to bring together the central and State governments to collaborate to promote educational awareness among citizens. The collaboration seeks to boost the education sector by 6% of GDP to enhance the educational infrastructure in the country.
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Challenges Regarding New Educational Policy
The New Educational Policy has brought revolutionary change in the Indian Education System in the time period. Yet, there are certain limitations in the New Educational Policy. Candidates can go through the challenges in the New Educational Policy stated below.
- High Enrollment Targets: Building a new curriculum is challenging for most instructors because the New Educational Policy aims to double the gross enrollment ratio by 2035.
- Lack of Qualified Teachers: India needs a sizable pool of qualified teachers familiar with the new pedagogical approach to effectively incline children with the upgraded curriculum.
- Lack of Financial Sources: Adequate funding and resources are needed to implement the New Educational Policy properly. Not all institutions can gather proper financing for implementing the New Educational Policy.
- Lack of Adaptive Mindset among Educators: As teachers generally share a disciplinary anchoring culture, it is challenging to have educators with exceptional skills. The New Educational Policy challenges institutions to hire multi-tasking and diverse-minded educators for holistic student development.
Also Read: Modern Education System: Purpose, Benefits, Challenges
Exam Structure as per New Education Policy
Previously, the exams were six months and yearly. But now they will be held as three milestones, at the end of the class 2nd, 5th and 8th. Candidates can go through the New Educational Policy exam structure stated below.
1. Revamped Examination Structure
An updated educational framework, the 5+3+3+4 structure, presents a transformation and adaptation of the traditional learning system based on the needs of learners. It emphasizes foundational learning, middle schooling, secondary education, and high school stages. It aims to develop a holistic pedagogical atmosphere.
It will ease the burden and periodicity of assessments that keep children under pressure. The New Education Policy 2024 aims to reduce students' curriculum burden and promote inter-disciplinary and multilingual learning through significant changes to board exams, focusing on objective-descriptive formats and biannual mode.
2. Importance of Mother Tongue
The New Education Policy 2023 emphasises the importance of education in one's mother tongue, with the medium of instruction up to class 5 and potentially extended to class 8 in some schools.
This move reflects the linguistic foundation of education and aims to enhance students' comprehension, communication with teachers, and cultural connections. The policy aims to improve language proficiency and bridge cultural gaps despite the national debate on English as the primary medium of instruction.
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3. Interdisciplinary Curriculum
New Educational Policy encourages interdisciplinary and multilingual education. It aims to foster a flexible curriculum that nurtures diverse skills and promotes the seamless achievement of knowledge.
4. Coding and Experimental Education
In 6th grade, coding will become a crucial curriculum element. It will focus on practical and experiential understanding by integrating experiential learning methods. Thus, students will be more practical and exploratory rather than too inclined toward theoretical learning.
5. Focus on Students' Health
The New Educational Policy 2023 expands the mid-day meal scheme to include breakfast. It will incorporate counsellors and social workers to enhance students' health and mental well-being.
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6. Multidisciplinary Bachelor's Degrees
A flexible 4-year undergraduate program with multiple exit points (certificate, diploma, bachelor's) that help students gain proficiency in a particular skill set.
7. No more M.Phil. Courses
The new education policy discontinues the M.Phil courses in universities and colleges. It focuses on introducing futuristic and career-centric courses.
8. Higher Education Commission
New Education Policy will establish a Higher Education Commission of India to regulate and manage higher education. It focuses on proactively enhancing enrollment ratios and ensuring higher academic standards.
9. Regulatory Councils
The New Educational Policy 2023 establishes a National Higher Education Regulatory Council to oversee higher education. The Higher Education Grant Council to financially support universities and colleges.
10. Internationalisation
The New Educational Policy encourages international collaboration. It will enable foreign universities and institutes to establish campuses and educational centres in India, thereby enhancing student exposure.
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11. Fee Regulation
Both private and public universities will implement regulated fees to ensure equal access to quality education. Every student will get access to good faculty and better learning scopes.
12. College Affiliation
The policy will be phased out within 15 years, granting colleges autonomous status. Therefore, all the colleges will be able to provide high-quality education.
13. District-level Universities
By 2030, every district in the country will have at least one high-quality multidisciplinary institute of excellence. The New Educational Policy will expand education access.
14. Multidisciplinary Universities
Indian universities will become major multidisciplinary institutions by 2040, becoming places for holistic education. The colleges will consist of multi dimensional high tech classrooms, and diverse curriculum for students.
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