National Education Policy 2020

Announcement on 29/07/2020 

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the National Education Policy 2020, transformational reform in both school & higher education sector. 

6% of GDP spending on the Education Sector.

"Ministry of Human Resource Development" change the name to "Ministry of Education".

The decision of changing the name of the ministry was done as per the recommendations listed in the draft on new education policy, which suggested it to bring the focus back on education & learning.

 History: 

After the freedom, this is the third NEP after policies that came in 1968 & 1986. Through the govt. amended the 1986 policy in 1992, it was largely the same.

Aim:

• New Policy aims for Universalization of education from pre-school.
•  6% GDP spending on the Education Sector.

• l to secondary level 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030.
• Attaining Foundational Learning & Numeracy skills through National Mission by 2025.
• Common Standards of Learning in Public & Private Schools.
• Inclusive & Equitable Education System by 2030.
• Teacher to be prepared for assessment reforms by 2023.

Major Reform:

• The current 10+2 system to be replaced by a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.
• MOTHER TONGUE: Teaching up to at least Grade 5 to be in mother tongue/ regional language.
• VOCATIONAL EDUCATION : This will start  from Class 6th with Internships
• ASSESSMENT: Assessemnet reforms with 360 degree Holistic Progress Card of Child.
• PARAKH: National assessment center- (Performance Assessement, Review, & Analysis of Knowledge for Hostilic Development)
• A new and comprehensive National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, NCFTE 2021, will be formulated by the NCTE in consultation with NCERT.   By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree .

Higher Education:

• Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to be raised to 50 % by 2035; 3.5 crore seats to be added in higher education.
• FLEXIBILITY: Higher Education curriculum to have Flexibility of Subjects.
• MULTIPLE ENTRY: Multiple Entry / Exit to be allowed with appropriate certification.
• CREDIT BANKS: Academic Bank of Credits to be established to facilitate  Transfer of Credits. 
• NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION: National Research Foundation to be established to foster a strong research culture.
• MULTIDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION & RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES: (MERUs), at par with IITs, IIMs, to  be set up as models.
• HIGHER EDUCAION COMMISSION OF INDIA: (HECI) will be set up as a single overarching umbrella body the for entire higher education, excluding medical and legal education.

Other Some Important Points:

• The National Educational Technology Forum (NETF- an autonomous body), will be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.
• The Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in Education sector to reach 6%. GDP at the earliest.
• New Policy promotes Multilingualism in both schools and higher education. National Institute for Pali, Persian and Prakrit , Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation to be set up.

Press release of PIB https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642061 check this link.