The Union Cabinet on July 29, 2020 approved the new National Education Policy (NEP) and renamed the HRD Ministry as Education Ministry. India revamps its education policy after 34 years.

National Education Policy 2020 – Outcomes

The NEP 2020 new policy aims to achieve 100 per cent youth and adult literacy in India. While announcing the policy details, Amit Khare, Secretary, Higher Education said that the government aims to increase the public investment in the education sector from the current 4.3 per cent to reach 6 per cent of GDP at the earliest.

What is NEP’s 5+3+3+4 format to replace 10+2?
One of the salient features of the new National Education Policy is shifting from decades-old 10+2 format to 5+3+3+4 keeping in mind a child’s development and capabilities. The new NEP replaces the rules framed in 1986 and restructures school and higher education to make more flexible and with an integrated approach.

What does 5+3+3+4 mean?
The new NEP has replaced school education 10+2 format with 5+3+3+4. Here’s how school education will be approached according to the new and reformed education policy:

Foundational years of 5 years
This will consist of 3 years of pre-school/Anganwadi education and 2 years of primary education including class 1 and 2. It will be for the age group from 3-8.

Preparatory stage for 3 years
This will cover school education from class 3-5 with focus on experimental learning. It will cover the age group from 8-11.

Secondary Stage for 3 years
This will cover school education from class 6-8 and will be for age group from 11-14.

Secondary stage for 4 years
This will cover school education from class 9-12 in two phases. The first phase will be from 9-10 and second from 11-12.

New school assessment scheme
The new school assessment scheme will come in place from 2022-2023. As per the new assessment scheme, school exams in grade 3,5 and 8 will test child’s basic learning with a 360-degree progress report card.

Board exams to be made easier
According to new NEP, board exams will also be made easier to test core competencies among students.

National Education Policy 2020 – Big Changes in School Education
1. Board exams will be low stakes & test actual knowledge instead of rote learning
2. Mother tongue to be a medium of instruction till 5th grade
3. Report cards will be a comprehensive report on skills and capabilities
4. All separations between vocational and academic and curricular and extra-curricular will also removed
5. Students to learn coding from class 6

National Education Policy 2020 Technology
1. Divyang friendly education software
2. National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)
3. Digitally equipping schools, teachers and students
4. e-content in regional language

National Education Policy 2020 Modifying Education Policy
1. 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio by 2035
2. Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education-Flexibility of Subjects
3. M Phil to be discontinued
4. Public Investment in Education Sector to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest
5. Single Regulator for Higher Education (excluding Legal and Medical)

National Education Policy 2020 Over Vital Reforms
1. Phasing out affiliation system in 15 years
2. Independent Board of Governors(BoG)
3. National assessment centre – PARAKH
4. National mission to focus on basic literacy and basic numeracy
5. Transparent online self-disclosure for public oversight and accountability

National Education Policy 2020 Expected Outcomes
1. Universalization from ECCE to Secondary Education by 2030
2. 100% GER Pre-School to Secondary Level by 2030
3. Teachers to be prepared for assessment reforms by 2023
4. Common Standards of Learning in Public & Private Schools
5. Inclusive & Equitable Education System by 2030

For more Details of National Education Policy 2020

National Education Policy 2020 Important questions and Answers

1. How will schools evaluate students?
In the new system, a combination of self-assessment by the student, peer assessment and teacher assessment will be followed. The NEP seeks to equip students passing out from grade 12 to have at least one core skill.

2. What is the new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure?
Under the new system there will be four development stages:
Foundational: 3 years (Anganwadi/pre-school/Balvatika)(Age 2 to 6)|2 years (class 1 & 2)(Age 6 to 8)

Preparatory: 3 years Class 3 to 5)(Age 8 to 11)

Middle: 3 years (6 to 8)(Age 11 to 14)

Secondary – Years (Class 9 to 12)(Age 14 to 18)

3. What is the three-language formula?
The new National Education Policy(NEP) recommends that all students will larn three languages in their school. Under the formula, at least two of the three languages should be native to India.

4. Will there be any changes in board exams pattern?
Board exams will continue for 10th & 12th but the question papers will have more number of objective type questions and redesigned with holistic development as th aim. A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH, will be set up as a standard-sitting body.

5. What criteria will be followed for admission in higher education institutes?
After grade 12, the National Testing Agency will conduct a single entrance examination for admission into higher educational institutes in the country.

6. How will these reforms be implemented?
Since education is a concurrent subject, both the centre and the state governments can make laws on it. But the reforms proposed can only be implemented collaboratively b the Center and the states.

7. What is the minimum qualification needed for a teacher under new NEP 2020?
Th minimum qualification for teaching will be a 4 year integrated BEd degree. A new and comprehensive National Curricular Framework for Teacher Education., NCTE 2021. will be formulated by the NCTE in consultation with NCERT.

8. What dos multiple entry and exit for UG courses mean?
If a student choose to exit from the degree at any point during the course of the to return and start where they left.

They are not required to start from their first year of undergraduate course again.

9. What changes have been made for undergraduate courses?
under the new ug courses format. options have been given that include certificate after one year, advanced diploma after two years. Bachelor’s degree after three years and Bachelor’s with research after four years.