Defence Current Affairs: New Education Policy

Recently, the Government of India has passed a new National Education Policy, made significant changes in school and higher education. In this article, we will know about all these changes. This topic is important for UPSC CDS, NDA, CAPF and other exams.

Aim-

The aim of NEP is to make “India a global knowledge superpower”
A NEP is a comprehensive framework to guide the development of education in the country.

Background

The need for a new education policy was first felt in 1964. It was the time when Congress MP Siddheshwar Prashad criticised the government for lacking a vision and philosophy for education.
The same year an Education commission consisting of 17 members, headed by UGC Chairperson D S Kothari, was formed to draft a national and coordinated policy on education.
The Commission gave its recommendation to the Parliament and the first education policy was passed in 1968.
A NEP generally comes every few decades. There are a total of three till now

First NEP in 1968, under Indira Gandhi Government
Second in 1986, under the Rajiv Gandhi Government- It was revised in 1992 when P. V Narasimha Rao was the Prime Minister.
Third NEP is released in 2020, under Prime Ministership of Narendra Modi

Key Points of NEP 2020

School Education

The policy aims fo universalisation of education from preschool to secondary level with 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030.
It also aims to bring 2 crore out of school children back into the mainstream through the open schooling system.
New NEP focuses on revamping the curriculum including,
- “Easier” Board exams,
- There will be a reduction in the syllabus to retain “core essentials” and for more focus on “experiential learning and critical thinking”.
There is a significant shift from the 1986 policy, which advocates for a 10+2 structure of school education.
New NEP 2020 push for “5 + 3 + 3 + 4” design corresponding to the age group
- 3-8 years (foundational stage)
- 8-11 (preparatory)
- 11-14 (middle)
- 14-18 (secondary)
The New Education Policy expands the age group 6-14 years of mandatory schooling to 3-18 years of schooling. NEP has 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/ pre-schooling.

The NEP will bring early childhood education (also known as pre-school education for children of ages 3 to 5) under the scope of formal schooling.
The mid-day meal programme (Designed to better the nutritional standing of school-age children nationwide) will be extended to pre-school children.
The NEP also says that the students until Class 5 should be taught in their mother tongue or regional language.
Its focus on Students’ mother tongue as the medium of instruction even as it sticks to the ‘three-language formula’ but also mandates that no language would be imposed on anyone.
Note*-The NEP only recommends the mother tongue as a medium of instruction, and not make it compulsory.
A new and comprehensive National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) 2021, will be established by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in consultation with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
By 2030, a 4 year integrated B.ED degree will be the minimum degree qualification for teaching.

Higher Education

The Policy aims to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (current 26.3%) in higher education to 50% by 2035. In addition this, 3.5 crore seats to be added in higher education.
The government will open the Indian higher education to foreign universities.
Dismantling the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be the single overarching umbrella body for entire higher education, excluding medical and legal education.
Both public and private higher education institutions will be governed by the same set of norms for regulation, accreditation and academic standards.
A four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate programme has been introduced with multiple exit options. Under the NEP, the undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4-year duration with multiple exit options within this period. The college will be mandated to-

Provide certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline or field including vocational and professional areas,
A diploma after 2 years of study, or
A Bachelor's degree after a 3-year programme.

Discontinuation of M Phil programme.
The policy also proposes eliminating out of all institutions offering single streams and that all universities and colleges must aim to become multidisciplinary by 2040.
Affiliation of colleges is to phase out in 15 years and a stage-wise mechanism to be formed for granting graded autonomy to colleges.
Over a period of time, every college is expected to develop into either an autonomous degree-granting College or a constituent college of a university.

Also

The name of the Ministry of Human Resource Development has changed to the Ministry of Education.
An autonomous body, the National Education Technology Forum (NETF), will be established with the aim to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning and administration.
National Assessment Centre 'PRAKASH' has been created. Aims to assess the student.
Gender Inclusion Fund, Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups will be set up.
It also calls to set up National Institute of Pali, Persian and Prakrit, Indian Institution of Translation and Interpretation.
Increase the Public Investment in Education Sector (Current- 4% of total GDP) to 6% of GDP.