In a major development, the Modi government has approved the National Education Policy 2020, the first time in 34 years. The Ministry Of Human Resource and Development has also renamed to Ministry of Education.
The medium of instruction for teaching until the 5th grade will be the mother tongue of the student. The board exams will also have low stakes apparently and will supposedly test the actual knowledge than rote learning. The report cards too will be a comprehensive report on skills and capabilities instead of marks and statements that is there today.
The new model is likely to look like this — 5+3+3+4.
So what exactly does that mean and how will it impact you and your children.
School Education ( 5+3+3+4 design)
5 Year Foundation Stage ( 3 year pre-primary and grades 1-2)
-Rapid brain development
– Play-based
– Activity based
-Discovery-based learning.
3 Year Preparatory Stage ( Grades 3-5)
– Textbook and formal classroom will be introduced
– Reading, Writing, Speaking, Language, Physical Education, Arts etc.
Middle school
3 Year Middle Stage
For students between 11-14 years in grades 6 to 8. The thrust for this level will be to have a subject-oriented pedagogical learning style.
– Concepts in subjects, experimental learning
– Exploration of relations among different subjects
-Special emphasis on coding
4 Year Secondary Stage
The final stage is for students between 14-18 years. This stage is again split into two sub-stages: covering grades 9 and 10 in one cohort and grades 11 and 12 in another.
-Multidisciplinary or no stream ( Example: a science student can also study fashion designing or bakery)
– Greater depth, greater critical thinking, greater attention to life aspiration, greater flexibility and students choice.
– 4 years would include 8 semesters with 5-6 subjects in each semester with some essential common subjects and greater flexibility in elective courses.
– The importance of board exams will be reduced.
This stage will promote critical thinking, attention to life aspirations, and also allow flexibility of subjects.
Higher Education
Multidisciplinary Education – Flexibility of Subjects
3-4 year under graduate (UG) degree with multiple exit option
– 1 Year – Certificate
-2 Year’s – Diploma
-3 Years- Bachelor’s Degree
-4 Years – Bachelor’s Degree With Research
-5 Years – Integrated ( Bachelor 4 Years + Masters 1 Year) can directly go for Ph.D
M.Phil to be discontinued
Higher Education
Education Commission Of India (HECI) will be set up as a single umbrella body for the entire higher education excluding medical and legal. Example : UGC And AICTE will come under HECI
Teachers
Teachers will be recruited through a transparent process. Promotions will be merit-based
Common Enterance Exam
A common entrance exam called National Testing Agency (NTA) will be conducted at least twice every for entrance exams.
HRD ministry to be renamed as Education Ministry
The National Education Policy 2020 aims to focus on basic literacy and basic numeracy and hence the pedagogical structure has also been changed. The government has also promised that there will be no separations between curricular and extra-curricular. The government aims to have 50 percent gross enrollment ratio by the year 2035 and will have a provision of multiple entry and exit.
Taking forward the Digital India initiative, the government will also develop e-courses not only in English but also in regional languages. The government also revealed that there are over 45,000 affiliated colleges in the country including under graded autonomy, academic, administrative, and financial autonomy. The rules and regulations for deemed universities, central universities, and for individual standalone institutions as well. The norms will be the same for all and not as per ownership.
