The new National Educational Policy 2020 revealed on Wednesday, 29 July.This is the first new education policy to be introduced in India in the 21st century last Educational Policy having been implemented in 1986, 34 years ago.which was modified once in 1992. Before that, the first education policy was passed in 1968.
The the new National Educational Policy changes the existing 10+2 structure of school education to a 5+3+3+4, covering children between the ages of 3-18.
New Education Policy 2020: Important highlights
- Three years of anganwadi or preschool covering ages 3 to 8 years
- The ‘preparatory stage’ covering ages 8 to 11 years or grades 3-5
- The ‘middle stage’ covering ages 11 to 14 years or grades 6-8
- The ‘secondary stage’ covering ages 14 to 18 years in two phases – grades 9-10 in the first and grades 11-12 in the second
Schooling starts at the age of 3 :
The new system will have 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/ pre-schooling.Three years of anganwadi or preschool + two years in primary school in grades 1-2 covering ages 3 to 8 years
Mother tongue as medium of instruction
The policy puts 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. The policy only recommends the mother tongue as medium of instruction, and not make it compulsory.
The policy document states that children learn and grasp non-trivial concepts more quickly in their home language.
Science, arts, commerce gets blurred
there will be no rigid separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams. Students can select subjects of their liking across the streams. Vocational education will start in schools from the 6th grade, and will include internships.
FYUP Programme Returns
Under the NEP, undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4-year duration with multiple exit options within this period. College will be mandated to give 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.
Govt will also establish an Academic Bank of Credit for digitally storing academic credits earned from different HEIs so that these can be transferred and counted towards final degree earned.
