Introduction
The world came to an abrupt stop because of the Covid-19 epidemic. Everything we regularly dealt with in the real world, offices, schools, universities, and entertainment, had to shift online. At the same time, the Indian education system moved from its previous conventional approach to a modern, practical, and clinical pedagogy with the introduction of the country’s new national education policy.
In order to stay up with the changes, the new policy integrates the Digital India program into the educational system, placing technology at the forefront of India’s new educational paradigm. This creates previously unheard-of possibilities and new avenues for integrating technology into education.
national education policy
- With the intention of implementing many changes in the Indian education system, from the school to the college level, the Union Cabinet has granted approval for the new National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
- Making “India a global knowledge superpower” is the goal of nep 2020.
- The Cabinet has approved the renaming of the Ministry of Human Resource Development as the Ministry of Education.
- The Cabinet’s approval of the NEP represents just the third significant revision to India’s educational system since the country’s independence.
national education policy 2020: Its Vision
- A system of education that offers top-notch instruction to everyone while promoting equity and a dynamic community.
- Forming a strong sense of loyalty to one’s nation, raising awareness of one’s place and obligations in a world that is changing, and cultivating a profound respect for the fundamental rights, obligations, and values of the Constitution.
- Imparting knowledge, principles, and attitudes that promote conscientious adherence to human rights, sustainable development, and local and global well-being, embodying the characteristics of a genuinely global citizen.
nep 2020 key points
- The cornerstones of the New Education Policy are accessibility, equity, affordability, quality, and accountability. The goal of this draft strategy is to advance Indian education while maintaining Indian value systems and adhering to international norms.
- To ensure universal access and child retention, beginning with early childhood care and education for children ages 3-6, the focus will be on curriculum changes and the integration of vocational and other courses without separating academic and non-academic subjects. Consequently, extending the right to education to the 12th grade by 2030 and ensuring universal access to basic reading and numeracy for all.
- This education policy 2020 suggested a 5+3+3+4 configuration. First, a Foundational Stage that emphasizes nutritional strength and allows children ages 3 to 8 to learn via play. The Preparatory Stage, which lasts for 8-11 years, is followed by the Middle Stage, which lasts for 11-14 years, and the Secondary Stage, which lasts for 14-18 years.
- In addition to basic education, it offers undergraduates a top-notch liberal education that combines the demanding study of the humanities, sciences, and mathematics with options for career and professional disciplines.
- Under this approach, teachers became the focal point of the educational system and received intensive preparation through a four-year integrated stage as well as subject-specific programs that guarantee teachers are qualified and competent, with no room for temporary staff. Education, as is well known, is only beneficial when delivered through competent and high-quality mediums.
- The strategy asks for more public funding to be allocated for the expansion and vitalization of public education at all levels in order to promote education. In order to overcome this obstacle and push quality improvement and capacity development, the goal is to develop the 10,000-15,000 institutions of excellence that are currently in place as well as others that will emerge later. Only sizable, heavily invested multidisciplinary institutions will be part of this architecture.
- There will be three different kinds of higher education establishments: Type 1 universities, which prioritize research, will also teach all programs from undergraduate to doctorate; Type 2 universities, which prioritize teaching all programs while conducting research; and Type 3 colleges, which will concentrate on teaching undergraduate programs. Every kind will confer their own degrees. There won’t be an affiliation system with universities.
- The National Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to students pursuing advanced degrees. The National Research Foundation (NRF), which was established to support research across all disciplines, further acknowledges the importance of research and innovation approaches.
national policy on education 2020: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Using Mother Tongue as a Teaching Medium: Home language, the local tongue, mother tongue, or regional language will be taught in both public and private schools as the medium of instruction until the fifth grade, and ideally until the eighth grade and beyond. However, it is not required.
- Emphasize the Importance of Vocational Education: With regard to vocational education, the government has stated that it will be gradually included into all schools and higher education establishments over the course of the next ten years.
- Encouragement of Interdisciplinary Learning: The nation will establish multidisciplinary education and research universities (MERUs) as models of the best multidisciplinary education of global standards, and the national research foundation will be established as the apex body to foster research culture and build research capacity across higher education. Multidisciplinary education will be promoted at the IIT and IIM levels.
Disadvantages:
- Encourages Centralization: Additionally, it is said that this policy encourages centralization because it specifies that no state will be able to alter the establishment of a new teacher training board for all types of teachers across the nation.
- Theoretical Guidelines: This nep education policy is a rather theoretical policy. Theoretically, that does alter things. However, putting ideas into practice in the actual world will be a very challenging and drawn-out task. Because there are so many government schools, fifth-graders attend classes without teachers, and the facilities are inadequate.
Conclusion
The national policy on education 2020 has accurately evaluated the needs of educating a generation raised in the internet and technology era. It rejects the conventional wisdom that regards technology as a hindrance to learning and instead aims to use it into the classroom for previously unthinkable advantages. The education policy 2020 is a positive move that offers a solid framework for creating new, effective systems and processes that will empower a whole generation of educators and students.
