New Education Policy 2020: School, Higher Education, 5+3+3+4 Education System Explained

New Education Policy 2020 has been finally approved by the Cabinet. The policy aims to transform the education system of the country. The New Education policy was launched on 29th July 2020 by the Union Ministers of Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, and Human Resource Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. As we know that the new academic session has been delayed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The NEP 2020 will be introduced before the new session to make it easier for the students of Higher and Secondary levels. So, in this article, we have provided all the major highlights of the New Education Policy 2020. Therefore, go through the article carefully.

New Education Policy 2020: (Detailed)

From school education to Higher Education, the NEP aims to provide a new structure to the education system. So, the key highlights of the latest education policy are as follows-

Check out NEP 2020 Draft (Official)

Schools and School Complexes to be used for Adult Education courses (after school hours)

Schools and School Complexes will be used after hours for Adul Education Courses. The adult education programs will help to earn knowledge and help to choose a profession for the future. Public Library Spaces will be ICT-Equipped providing community engagement and other activities.

More Focus on the Vocational Studies in School Level

The new education policy states that vocational studies should be focused more on the school level. These courses can include crafts such as Pottery making, electric work, gardening, etc. This will be decided by the state and local communities during grades 6 to 8.

By 2025, at least 50% of the students will be exposed to vocational education. Several Internship opportunities will also be provided to the students (Grades 6 to 12), including the holiday period. Students can also take these Vocational Courses online.

NIOS to develop High-Quality Modules for Indian Sign Language

The National Institute of Open School Learning will develop High-Quality Modules for the Indian Sign Language, and to teach other basic subjects using Sign Languages.

Pre-School Selection in Kendriya Vidyalayas

Pre-School Sections to cover at least one year of early childhood care and education to be included in Kendriya Vidyalaya and other primary schools.

Free Boarding Facilities in JNV

Free Boarding Facilities will be provided in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas for the socio-economically disadvantaged students.

NCC Wings in Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools under the Ministry of Defence

State Governments to establish NCC Wings in their Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, including the tribal-dominated areas.

Establishment of Digital and Online Learning

Digital Content and capacity building will be available at MHRD Portal for the students of both school and higher education. A comprehensive set of recommendations for promoting online education consequent to the recent rise in epidemics and pandemics in order to ensure preparedness with alternative modes of quality education whenever and wherever traditional and in-person modes of education are not possible has been covered.

National Scholarship Portal for Category Students to be expanded

The national scholarship portal will be expanded to support, foster, and track the progress of the merit students receiving scholarships. With NEP 2020, a large number of scholarships to be provided to the merit category students (ST, SC, SEDGs, OBCs, etc.)

Minimum Qualification for Teaching 4-Year Integrated B.Ed Degree Programme

A New formulated National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, NCFTE 2025, will be formulated by the NCTE in consultation with NCERT. The minimum educational qualification for teaching will be a 4-Year integrated B.Ed Degree. Strict actions will be taken against substandard stand-alone Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).

Common Regulatory Body for Higher Education

Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to be set up as a single operating body for all the higher education. This also includes Medical and Legal Education. The HECI will have four independent verticals-

• National and Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for Regulation
• General Education Council (GEC) for standard-setting
• Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding
• National Accreditation Council( NAC) for accreditation.

New Provisions to be implemented for the Disabled Students

Children with disabilities can fully participate in the regular schooling process from the foundational stage to higher education. Every State/District will be encouraged to establish “Bal Bhavans” as a special daytime boarding school. Students can participate in career-related and playful activities. Free school infrastructure can be used as Samajik Chetna Kendras.

Education Sector to get 6% of GDP, earlier it was 1.7%

As per the New Education Policy 2020, the education sector will get 6% of the GDP. Earlier it was 1.7%.

NEP 2020 to introduce Bagless Days

Bagless Days to be encouraged throughout the year to keep the students light and free. Various extracurricular activities such as arts quizzes, sports, and vocational crafts will be encouraged at the school.

Three Language Learned by the Student will be the choice of state, regions, and students

The three-language learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of the students, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.

The medium of Instruction to be Local/Regional Language

The medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language/mother-tongue/local language/regional language.

Indian Langauge to be standardized across the country

Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country, and the National and State Curriculum Materials developed, for the use by the students with hearing impairment.

No Hard Separation of Streams of Students

Students will be given more options to choose in the subjects to study in their secondary school- including subjects in Physical Education, Arts, and Crafts, and Vocational Skills. There will be no hard separation among ‘curricular’, ‘extracurricular’, or ‘co-curricular’ subjects. Subjects such as Physical Education, Arts, etc including Mathematics and Science will be incorporated throughout the social curriculum.

Experimental Learning at all the Stages

Experimental Learning such as Hands-On-Learning, Arts Integrated, and Sports Integrated Education, Story-telling-based pedagogy, will be included in the course programs. Classroom transactions will shift, towards competency-based learning and education.

Content will focus on Idea, Application, and Problem Solving

The content will focus on key concepts, ideas, applications, and problem-solving. Teaching and Learning to be implemented in a more interactive manner.

Deduction in Curriculum Content

The curriculum content will be reduced in each subject, and more focus will be provided for critical thinking, and more holistic, discussion-based, analysis-based learning.

NIOS, Open Schools to offer courses for Grades 3, 5, 8

NIOS and State Open Schools will offer A, B, and C Levels that are equivalent to the Grades 3, 5, and 8 of the formal school systems, Secondary Education Programs that are equivalent to Grades 10 and 12, Vocational Education Courses, and adult literacy and life-Enrichment programs.

Nutrition and Health Cards, and Regular Health Check-Ups for Students

Nutrition and Health ( including Mental Health), Healthy Meals and Regular Health-Check ups of the children will be checked frequently.

National Mission on Foundation Literacy and Numeracy to be set up by MHRD

A National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy will be set by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) on priority.

Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum to be carried out by MHRD, WCD, HFW, and Tribal Affairs

The planning and interpretation of the Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum will be carried out jointly by the Ministry of HRD, Women, and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Tribal Affairs.

Preparatory Classes for Children below the age of 5

Children below the age of 5 will be moved to a “Preparatory Class” or “Balavatika” (that is, before Class 1), which has an ECCE-qualified teacher.

Tech-Based Options for Adult Learning through Apps, TV Channels, etc.

Adult Learning will take place through apps, online course modules, satellite-based TV Channels, Online Books, etc. Quality-Technolgy-Based Options will be developed.

Variable Models for Board Exams, Annual and Semester Exams

Board Exams to be conducted in variable models such as Annual/Semester/Modular Board Exams. This will offer all subjects beginning with mathematics, at two levels, and parts. Questions will be both objective and subjective/descriptive.

NTA to offer Common Entrance Exam

The National Testing Agency will conduct a High-Quality Common Aptitude Test, as well as specialized common subject exams in sciences, humanities, languages, arts, and vocational subjects, at least twice a year for University Entrance Exams.

360 Holistic Report Card for Students

Students will get a 360 Holistic Report Card which will not only provide the marks of the students but also their skills to extracurricular activities and other important points.

Board Exams to be conducted twice in a Year

To reduce the stress and importance of the Board Exams, the exam will be conducted twice in a year. The exam will be divided into two parts- Objective and Subjective.

Coding to be taught from Class 6th onwards

Students of 6th Class will be taught coding skills in school as a part of 21st-century skills.

National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework to be developed by NCERT

A National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCPFECCE) for children up to the age of 8 will be developed by NCERT, Ankita Karwal School Education Secretary said.

Financial Autonomy to be given to 45K Affiliated Colleges

Financial Autonomy will be given to 45k Affiliated Colleges in our country. Under Graded Autonomy, Academic, Administrative & Financial Autonomy will be given to colleges, on the basis of the status of their accreditation.

E-Content in Regional Language

Apart from English, and Hindi Langauge, e-contents will be available in eight regional languages as well.

New Pedagogical and Curricular Structure to be introduced

The 10+2 Course Structure will be modified with a new pedagogical and curricular restructuring of 5+3+3+4 covering ages 3-18. 3-6 are not covered in the 10+2 structure as Class 1 begins at age 6. In the new 5+3+3+4 structure, a strong base of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from age 3 is also included.

Multiple Entry and Exit Programme

There will be multiple numbers of entry and exit options for those who wish to leave the course in the middle. Their credits will be transferred through the Academic Bank of Credits.

The National Education Policy 2020 was earlier adopted in the year 1986 and was modified in 1992. Draft NEP has been drafted by the government in May 2019 which aims to provide quality education to the children under the age group 3-18 by 2030. If you have any questions then please comment on the section below.