How schools can implement NEP effectively
In this article, I am explaining the difficulties school authorities experience in implementing the new nep policy 2020. How can they implement this policy in the best possible manner? The school authorities can still try implementing the policy by understanding the motto and goals of the policy.
The National Education Policy was recently launched by the Union Cabinet of India for the welfare of the students of our nation. The policy aims to provide the best education to students while reducing the stress of learning. But are the schools able to implement the policy? The policy cannot be implemented immediately as the schools should undergo not just infrastructural changes, but strive to create a conducive atmosphere for students to study with enthusiasm and devotion. Problems in implementing NEP in schools
The school authorities were not able to implement NEP in schools earlier due to several possible reasons as stated below-Difficulty of implementation along with pressure to complete syllabus
According to the new policy, the teachers should provide practical training to the students to clarify every concept taught in school. At the elementary level, the teachers should organize activity-based programs and allow the child to learn through discovery and experiential learning. They should also conduct interactive sessions such as quizzes, orals, debates, and dramas to engage students and help them learn effectively. But the teachers should be able to organize many activities within a specified period. They should complete the prescribed syllabus before the date of the examination is announced.Large class size
Every classroom consists of sixty or more pupils, and the teachers are required to monitor many students in a day. They are busy explaining the chapters, providing notes, completing assignments behind the chapters, preparing exam schedules, or conducting tests. So, they are not able to effectively pay attention to the student's progress, doubts, or needs.Infrastructural drawbacks
Every school is not equipped with hi-tech equipment to support the learning of students. Students of this era can learn effectively using the tools and equipment. During the pandemic period, they even learned to operate smartphones, send messages, and call someone to clarify doubts. They are hence gradually losing interest in studying offline using a pen and a piece of paper. According to the NEP policy, children should be taught lessons through different sources. The concepts of every chapter are easily clarified via video demonstrations, animations, colourful illustrations, etc. But schools are unable to arrange for such online sessions. Schools in rural areas or government-aided schools are unable to provide such infrastructural facilities.Complexity of the policies
NEP aims to provide the best quality education to students by using tools and technologies, innovative technologies, conducting multiple assessments, etc. The policy also focuses on improving the weaknesses of students. The students are greatly benefited by the policy and will learn enthusiastically. But teachers should become tech-savvy and learn to share information effectively via sophisticated devices such as smartphones, mobiles, etc. They should identify the strengths and weaknesses of several students to prepare a holistic progress card for them. A teacher may not easily identify the traits of the students if she or he is a fresher or has not met them earlier.What efforts can be undertaken to implement NEP in schools
Most schools should make the necessary infrastructural arrangements to provide holistic education to students. They can make gradual changes as they are unable to spend lump sums and aim to provide the best quality education to students. They can aim to uplift students and lead them towards the path of success by being a guiding light in the classroom.
The attitude of the teachers and school authorities is one of the greatest driving factors in a student's success. A good teacher can even teach effectively without using any tools or devices. Every school is not so well equipped to use sophisticated tools to teach students. Teachers are too pressured to complete the syllabus within the prescribed time. Instead, they can creatively think of the best methods to teach students. They can plan effectively to allocate time to students. A teacher should learn the art of management to provide the best education with the available resources. They should identify the student's strengths and weaknesses and prepare a sheet to track progress. They should give special attention to students who are weaker and need support.
The school authorities can simply create a conducive learning atmosphere by encouraging the students to persist and conducting activities to foster creativity. If a student is weak in studies or lacks any skill to perform tasks, then do not speak ill of such students, but instead think of some effective ways to improve. As the motto of NEP is ''Educate, Encourage, and Enlighten" never condemn a student, however weak he is. Remember, as a teacher, you should always radiate the light of knowledge so the students can spread knowledge everywhere around them to build a prosperous nation.
The role of a teacher in implementing NEP effectively in schools is very important. That is why many academicians are saying that preparing and training the teacher for the new system is very important. As mentioned by the author a teacher should develop some managerial skills also which will help in understanding the mentality of a student and effectively dealing with him. A better understanding of the student by the teacher is very important. So the teacher-student ratio should be in such a way that the teacher will have enough time and space to understand each and every student assigned to him/ her. A teacher should become a monitor of 10 to 15 students so that it will become easy for the teacher to know the weaknesses of each student and work on those points. A teacher should have the patience to hear and answer all sorts of doubts that are being raised by the student.