FPJ Fast Facts: All you need to know about the National Education Policy 2020

FPJ Fast Facts: All you need to know about the National Education Policy 2020

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Thursday, July 30, 2020, 07:42 AM IST
article-image
Representational image |

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the National Education Policy 2020 on Wednesday, making way for large scale, transformational reforms in both school and higher education sectors.

This new policy replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 and is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student.

Taking to Twitter, the prime minister said, โ€œI wholeheartedly welcome the approval of the National Education Policy 2020! This was a long due and much awaited reform in the education sector, which will transform millions of lives in the times to come! In this era of knowledge, where learning, research and innovation are important, the NEP will transform India into a vibrant knowledge hub.โ€

One of the features of the new education policy is to replace the 10+2 structure with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure will benefit the younger children.

What the policy will focus on

According to the Narendra Modi website, the policy will focus on the following.

- School Education

a) Ensuring universal access

b) Early childhood care and education with new curricular and pedagogal structure

c) Attaining foundational literacy and numeracy

d) Reforming in curricula and pedagogy

e) Multilingualism and the power of language

f) Assessment reforms

g) Equitable and inclusive education

h) Robust teacher recruitment and career path

i) School governance

j) Standard-setting and accreditation for school education

In addition, the programme will also have a special focus on higher education and proper teacher training.

Interestingly, the matter of multilingualism has become a topic of discussion. According to the website, โ€œThe policy has emphasised mother tongue/local language/regional language as the medium of instruction at least till Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond. Sanskrit to be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students, including in the three-language formula. Other classical languages and literatures of India also to be available as options. No language will be imposed on any student. Students to participate in a fun project/activity on โ€˜The Languages of Indiaโ€™, sometime in Grades 6-8, such as, under the โ€˜Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharatโ€™ initiative. Several foreign languages will also be offered at the secondary level. Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country, and National and State curriculum materials developed, for use by students with hearing impairment,โ€ the website said.

Read the full text here.

While it's premature to determine the success of the policy, one thing is certain. It's about time India tried something new when it comes to educating its future citizens.

RECENT STORIES

Gujarat Shocker: Young Man's Corpse Mistakenly Handed Over As Spare Parts At Sardar Vallabhbhai...

Gujarat Shocker: Young Man's Corpse Mistakenly Handed Over As Spare Parts At Sardar Vallabhbhai...

'Hero No. 1' Govinda Joins Shiv Sena In Presence Of Eknath Shinde, Likely To Contest From Mumbai...

'Hero No. 1' Govinda Joins Shiv Sena In Presence Of Eknath Shinde, Likely To Contest From Mumbai...

'Good Luck To Mann Saheb': Being In ED Custody, Arvind Kejriwal Congratulates Punjab CM On Birth Of...

'Good Luck To Mann Saheb': Being In ED Custody, Arvind Kejriwal Congratulates Punjab CM On Birth Of...

VIDEO: Noida Girls, Partner Arrested For Making Obscene Holi Videos On Moving Scooter & Inside Delhi...

VIDEO: Noida Girls, Partner Arrested For Making Obscene Holi Videos On Moving Scooter & Inside Delhi...

Bengaluru: News Agency ANI Reporter Slaps & Hurls Abuses At PTI Journalist During DK Shivakumar...

Bengaluru: News Agency ANI Reporter Slaps & Hurls Abuses At PTI Journalist During DK Shivakumar...