Education System of India - 2020

India is a ginormous and second most populated country of the world with a population of 1.38 billion approx. Seventh largest country by land area. Education in India is provided by public schools(Controlled and funded by the government at three levels: central, state and local)and private schools (Controlled and funded by Private parties). Although their has not been any change in the education pattern since the National policy on Education (NPE),1986. 

But now the ruling BJP government has reformed the education structure and replaced the thirty four year old National policy on education 1986 as 

'National Education Policy 2020' and divided it into 5+3+3+4 (The old model was 10+2)which includes a foundational stage from age 3 to 8, three years of pre-primary education from age 8 to 11, a preparatory stage from age 11 to 14, while the secondary stage would comprise 14 to 18 years of age. The new system will have 12 years of schooling with 3 years of anganwadi / pre-schooling.

Hence, the model 5+3+3+4 will be categorised in 4 stages:

1. Foundation stage: It is further divided into two parts: 3 years of pre school or anganwadi, followed by classes 1 and 2 in primary school for children of age group 3-8 years. It will mainly focus on activity based learning.

2. Preparatory stage: classes 3 to 5 for age group 8-11 years. It will introduce subjects like - Speaking, reading, writing, physical education, art, science and mathematics.

3. Middle stage: classes 6 to 8 for children between age group 11-14 years.It will introduce students to the more abstract concept in subjects of science, art, mathematics and humanities.

4. Secondary stage: classes 9 to 12 for age group  between 14-18 years. It is again subdivided into two parts: classes 9 and 10 covering the first phase while 11 and 12 covering the second phase. These 4 years of study will inculcate Multidisciplinary study with depth and critical thinking and will also provide multiple options of subjects.

Board Exams

For grades 10 and 12 will be continued, but be reformed to eliminate the need for taking coaching classes. All students will be allowed to take board exams on up to two occasions during any given school year. One main examination and one for improvement, if desired.All students will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8, which will be conducted by the appropriate authority.

Multilingualism

The medium of instruction until at least grade 5 but preferably till grade 8 and beyond will be the home language / mother tongue / regional language.

Sanskrit will be offered at all levels of school and higher education as as important option for students. Other classical languages and literatures of India, Including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, pali, persian and prakrit, will also be available in schools as options for students.

Foreign languages, such as korean, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Spanish, Portugese and Russian, will also be offered at the secondary level.

Indian sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country, National and State curriculum materials will be developed for use by the students with hearing impairment.

Promotion of Indian languages

More HEIs(Higher Education Institutions), and more programmes in higher education, will use the mother tongue/local language as a medium of instruction, and/or offer programmes bilingually.

An Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI) will be established. Sanskrit and all Indian language institutes and departments across the country will be significantly strengthened.

A new National Assessment Centre, 

PARAKH

(Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), will be set up as a standard-setting body for setting norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards of India.

Every State/District will be encouraged to establish 

Bal Bhavans

As a special daytime boarding school, to participate in art-related, career-related, and play-related activities.

Multidisciplinary Education

To provide multi-disciplinary holistic education at the undergraduate level for integrated, rigorous exposure to science, arts, humanities, mathematics and professional fields having imaginative and flexible curricular structures, creative combinations of study, integration of vocational education and multiple entry/exit points.

The undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4 year duration, with multiple exit options within this period, with appropriate certifications - a certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline or field including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after 2 years of study, or a Bachelor's degree after a 3-year programme.

An 

Academic Bank of Credit

(ABC) shall be established which would digitally store the academic credits earned from various recognized HEIs(Higher Education Institutions) so that the degrees from an HEI can be awarded taking into account credits earned.

MERUs

"Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities" will be set up and will aim to attain the highest standards for multidisciplinary education across India, Model public universities for holistic and multidisciplinary education.

Universities and colleges will set up high-quality support centres and will be given adequate funds and academic resources to encourage and support students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Professional academic and career counselling will be available to all students, as well as counsellors to ensure physical, psychological and emotional well-being.

National ResearchFoundation (NRF)

A new entity will be set up to catalyze and expand research and innovation across the country. The NRF will competitively fund research in all disciplines.

Financial support for students

Efforts will be made to incentivize the merit of students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and other SEDGs. 

The National Scholarship Portal will be expanded to support, foster, and track the progress of students receiving scholarships. Private HEIs will be encouraged to offer larger numbers of free ships and scholarships to their students.

Open and distance learning 

will be expanded, thereby playing a significant role in increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio to 50% Motivated, Energized, and Capable Faculty

NEP 2020 recognises that the success of higher education institutions is the quality and engagement of its faculty. HEIs will have clearly defined, independent, and transparent processes and criteria for faculty recruitment. Faculty not delivering on basic norms will be held accountable.

Effective Governance and leadership in HEIs

Through a suitable system of graded accreditation and graded autonomy, and in a phased manner over a period of 15 years, all HEIs(Higher Education Institutions)in India will aim to become independent self-governing institutions pursuing innovation and excellence.

Professional Education

All professional education will be an integral part of the higher education system. Stand-alone technical universities, health science universities, legal and agricultural universities, or institutions in these or other fields, will aim to become multi-disciplinary institutions.

Technology in Education

An autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), will be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.

Online Education and Digital Education

A comprehensive set of recommendations for promoting online education consequent in the recent rise in epidemics and pandemics in order to ensure preparedness with alternative modes of quality education whenever and wherever traditional and in-person modes of education are not possible, has been covered.

Adult Education

The policy aims to achieve 100% youth and adult literacy by 2030.

Teacher Education

Bachelor of Education offered at multidisciplinary institutions would be the way forward. By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree.

Financing Education

All education institutions will be held to similar standards of audit and disclosure as a 'not for profit' entity. The Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in Education sector to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest.

Regulation

There will be a single overarching umbrella body for promotion of higher education- the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)- with independent bodies for standard setting - the General Education Council; funding-Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC); accreditation- National Accreditation Council (NAC); and regulation- National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC).

Conclusion

"The National Education policy 2020" aims to transform India into a vibrant society of knowledge making both school and college education more flexible, multidisciplinary suited to the 21st century needs and bringing out the unique capabilities of each student.

Even after this revolutionary tranformation of the Indian education system, I wonder when the government will focus on much needed transformation of infrastructure and other facilities provided in the government schools and anganwadis(Especially the mid day meals provided in those schools).

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to write below.