What Indian students need to know about National Education Policy
The National Education Policy (NEP), developed by the Central government in 2020, went into force during the 2023–2024 academic years and brought a number of reforms. It is clear that the NEP wants to both disrupt and modernize the current system through changes to the grade structure and syllabus, which are highlighted by fundamental changes in how the Indian Educational System functions.
What can parents and educators thus anticipate in 2023 – 2024 as we approach the beginning of a new chapter in Indian education?
Important Evolution
We have all experienced the drawbacks of the Indian Educational System and its practices in the past, particularly its propensity for rote learning, which places a higher priority on memorization than on comprehending.
Additionally, there were problems with the numerous boards that the previous system included. Each board promoted a diverse approach to education and developed a variety of abilities among its pupils, who were then all required to pass the same standardized board exams.
Higher-level standardized tests, like the JEET and UPSC, which purport to “level the playing field” among the nation’s applicants but privilege the teaching methods of some boards, are aggravating the discrepancy between the various boards.
Now that we are aware of the drawbacks of the current system, let’s look at how the NEP intends to improve it
The Revolution in Learning
The four primary changes brought about by the NEP can be used as a simplified framework to understand how much modification the current system will need to go through. The creation of a standard, centralized board to manage Indian kids’ education.
The requirement for the numerous pre-existing boards is lessened by the creation of this unique centralized board. As a result, the current structure would need to be completely revised and would require extensive teamwork as the numerous boards come together under a single unified organization.
Changes to the curriculum that are outlined in the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) encourage students’ originality and curiosity while providing alternative teaching methods.
Indian schools must enhance their infrastructure to be able to teach a wider variety of courses, with a greater emphasis on enhancing learning quality, supported by creative teaching and dynamic learning. These include programs in robotics, astronomy, and Industry 4.0 tools—subjects that help develop well-rounded individuals and give them marketable skill sets for the modern industry.
Grade structures have changed intrinsically, moving away from the conventional “10+2+3” to a new “5+3+3+4”.
The new grading system calls into question the “qualifications” offered by various educational institutions in India and challenges their current educational infrastructure. As their goals alter, the traditional definitions of primary and secondary education will likewise drastically change.
The NEP also suggests eliminating internal examinations until the second grade, instituting semesters in Grade 12, and removing eight board exams at the conclusion of Grade 10. This suggests that schools that up to now have offered instruction that ends in the eighth or tenth grade must review their infrastructure to comply with new standards.
Colleges that teach students in grades 11 through 15 must consider what defines “higher education” and, more crucially, what is covered by their mandate, and adjust their course curriculum accordingly.
The implementation of a new “Student Evaluation Assessment Scheme” that assesses students holistically based on their learning, understanding, and growth.
During the NEP
What does the NEP’s promise to overhaul Indian education actually mean for the thousands of students who will be affected by it? The way the younger generation views and engages with education may undergo a substantial transformation if the aforementioned improvements are carried out with dedication and consistency.
Additionally, a system that assesses a student’s unique abilities and strengths not only helps in better evaluating that student’s academic career but also assists that student in better deciding what subjects and courses they want to pursue in the future.
Students who are more self-aware and who have strong connections between the educational and industrial sectors will produce a highly competent workforce that has a better capacity to spur economic progress.
However, multi-state educational coordination is a huge effort that must be carried out under strict regulations. If implemented successfully, India would produce a new generation of forward-thinking leaders and entrepreneurs, ushering in the age of tomorrow.