Expected outcomes of implementation of new NEP in respect of school education
The National Education Policy of 2020 has envisaged many path-breaking, novel measures for students in colleges/universities and also for school-going children.So far as school-going children are concerned, some of the reforms suggested by the new policy are:-
1. Universalization of Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE)
2. National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
3. 5+3+3+4 curricular and pedagogical structure
4. Curriculum to integrate 21st century skills, mathematical thinking and scientific temper
5. No rigid separation between arts & sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams
6. Education of gifted children
7. Provision for gender inclusion fund
8. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas upto Class XII
9. Reduction in curriculum to core concepts
10. Vocational integration from Class VI onwards
There are some more path-breaking reforms suggested in respect of school-going students in the new policy, which I am not mentioning.
But more important is to understand the expect outcomes, if all or most of the reform measures are implemented for Indian school-children.
The expected outcomes of successful implementation of the new education policy for the school-going children are:
(a) Universalization from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to Secondary Education by 2030;
(b) Attaining foundational learning and numeracy skills through National Mission by 2025;
(c) 100% GER in pre-school to secondary level by 2030;
(d) To bring back two crores out-of-school children;
(e) Teachers to be prepared for assessment reforms by 2023;
(f) Inclusive and equitable education system by 2030;
(g) Board examinations to test core concepts and application of knowledge;
(h) Every Child is expected to come out of school adept in at least one skill; and,
(i) common standards of learning in public and private schools.
There is provision of continuous monitoring and course-correction in the NEP-2020.
Let us all hope that effective implementation of this revolutionary education policy will help Indian students to reach different paths of glory for themselves, the society and the motherland.
(Competition entry: A thread a day challenge)