Key Highlights of New National Education Policy 2020

A well-defined and futuristic education policy plays a powerful role in a country’s and its citizens’ growth and development because education is the key driver of economic and social progress.

Recently, the Indian Government took a leap forward by announcing its New Education Policy, the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which replaces the National Policy on Education of 1986.

5 Key Highlights of New Education Policy

New Education Policy 2020 aims to ensure that no student loses any new opportunity to learn and excel because of the circumstances of background or birth. According to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), NEP aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in education, including vocational education, from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035.

The policy makes India an international choice for learning by providing a high-quality, varied, and dynamic education hub to all the people abroad. Following are some key points aimed at promoting creative thinking in students to encourage logical and innovative decision-making:

• The first thing is flexibility, one of the essential things for learners;
• Multi-disciplinary approach (across the social sciences, sciences, arts, sports and humanities); emphasis on conceptual learning rather than rote learning; creativity and critical thinking;
• Equal promotion of sciences, arts, physical education and other extra-curricular activities so that students can pick according to their interests;
• Regular assessment for education rather than the existing summative assessment;
• Cultivating life skills like teamwork, cooperation, resilience, and empathy.

New Education Policy — New 5+3+3+4 Education Structure

The motive of the New Education Policy is to foster, recognise and identify each person’s unique capabilities. It is one of the holistic steps toward making learning more enjoyable, experiential, inquiry-driven, learner-oriented, integrated and flexible.

New Education Policy 2020 has launched a new 5+3+3+4 education structure, replacing the existing education system with 10+2. This new education system includes a great base of Early Childhood Care and Education for the three ages to promote enhanced learning and well-being for kids.

ECCE focuses on four key areas: Foundational Learning, Universal Access, Preparatory Classes, and Multifaceted Learning. So, have a look at the listed below new 5+3+3+4 education structure.

5 Years of Foundational Stage — For Ages: 3 to 8, classes 1–2

• For classes: Anganwadi/pre-school
• Focus on flexible, multilevel, activity- or play-based training methods and developing children’s language skills.

3 Years of Preparatory Stage — For Ages: 8 to 11, classes: 3 to 5

• Focus on foundational education and raising students’ basic numeracy and literacy skills.
• Subjects like Science, Art and Mathematics will be introduced to students.

3 Years of Middle Stage — For Ages: 11 to 14, classes: 6 to 8

• Kids will study core academic skills and life skills.
• They will study the concepts of humanities, science, arts, mathematics and social sciences.

4 Years of Secondary Stage — For Ages: 14 to 18, classes: 9 to 12

• In this stage, students will cover two phases: the first is Classes 9 and 10, and the second is Classes 11 and 12.
• This phase covers deep knowledge, and students can select their favourite stream they want to study in 11 and 12th classes.

Conclusion

In India, it is visible to everyone that the education sector needs to pull its socks towards the 21st century, which is why New Education Policy 2020 has been introduced recently to change the learning system. The key motive of NEP 2020 is to deliver Holistic, Integrated, Enjoyable, and Engaging learning to every student.

In short, NEP 2020 combines face-to-face and digital learning systems and will require educators to be trained in smart education processes. This is one of the reasons this policy is the game changer for the Indian Education system.