India’s previous education policy dates back to 1986 and required significant changes. Finally, in July 2020, after a struggle of 34 years, The Central Government announced a new blueprint, now known as National Education Policy 2020.
The new policy has several key objectives to make education more inclusive and equitable. It provides relevant and holistic teaching to students while ensuring they access quality education. The key here is to develop such student skills that meet the existing and future needs of the country.
The policy is also set to change the way we approach education. It focuses on experiential learning. The new blueprint encourages the process and depth of understanding rather than rote learning. The policy shines a light on transparency and accountability in the education system.
Overall, the National Education Policy 2020 is set to transform the current Indian method in a way that is more accessible and relevant to the current times. With changes in school, higher education, and vocational education, the policy aims to empower and provide a level playing field to all.
OBJECTIVES OF NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020
- Giving universal access to quality education for preschool to secondary level kids.
- Promoting multilingualism and holistic development by tapping into Indian culture and ethical values.
- Imbibing 21st-century skills like digital literacy, critical or creative thinking, and problem-solving.
- Extending equal opportunity to students from all backgrounds and eliminating disparities in access to education.
- Creating a flexible, multi-disciplinary, and responsive educational ecosystem which adapts to societal and economic changes.
- Promoting educational research and innovation to develop a culture of everlasting learning among students and teachers.
- Improving the teaching methodology by providing professional development for teachers and introducing innovative pedagogies.
- Strengthening governance and management of all educational institutions to ensure accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.
Highlights
- Emphasizing early childhood care and education
- Focus on foundational literacy and numeracy
- Lowering dropout rates and ensuring universal access to education
- Holistic, multi-disciplinary, integrated, enjoyable, and engaging learning
- Empowerment of teachers, mentors, and coaches
- Equitable and inclusive education, i.e. learning for all
- Standard-setting and accreditation for school education
- Developing quality universities and colleges
- Adoption of technology in teaching, learning, and assessments.
The new NEP 2020 and the National Research Foundation will encourage high-quality academic research. It will be great to see the use of pedagogically-sound teaching and learning practices.
