Akki Maruthi

On July 29th, 2020, the Indian Education System noticed a historical decision made by the Union Cabinet, the New Education Policy. On this day, the Ministry of Education announced the major reforms in the educational structure under the newly laid National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Education policies are usually revised every few decades. The first came in 1968, the second in 1986, and the third reformation of the Indian education culture was seen in 2020.

(Source Above pic from The Indian Express News Paper)

NEP is the first inclusive, participatory, and holistic approach that reforms the existing educational structure. This new education policy 2020 takes into consideration different fields like experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, and lessons from best practices.

It is a progressive shift and if implemented in its true vision, this new education structure can bring India at par with the leading countries of the world.

What are the Key Takeaways of NEP 2020?

The objective of this reformation of the Indian education system is “No child will be left behind”. It is intended to fill the gaps in the current education scenario. So, we can say, NEP 2020 is brought for the ‘learning to learn’ approach.

Highlights of the new education policy:

1) present school system will be divided into 5 + 3 + 3 + 4 stages as Foundation, Preparatory, Middle & Secondary respectively.
2) Mother tongue or regional language will be taught up to at least class 5.
3) Vocational education will be integrated from class 6 with 10 days of mandatory internship.
4) National Testing Agency will conduct SAT-Like college entrance tests twice a year.
5) Students will be benefitted with a 4-Year multi-disciplinary bachelor’s program.
6) Mid-term drop-out students will be able to complete the degree after a break.
7) Foreign colleges could enter India, and Indian universities would go global.

These will be some changes in the existing education policy to bring out the best in oneself, be it any field of study. It can surely make India a global knowledge superpower.

From students, parents, to teachers, everyone will be affected by the changes in the education system. Let’s understand the key changes that this new education policy proposes.

Impact of New Education Policy (NEP) 2020

This national policy on education will impact billions of lives. But the two major segments that would be affected are ‘Students and Teachers’.

So, let’s understand the impact of this new education policy on the students and teachers:

Impact on Students:

NEP 2020 will open up new learning opportunities to the students. Its biggest impact would be the change in the learning environment and the learning process for the students. The new education policy will:

1) Increase focus on the skill improvement and competency development of the students.
2) Make the students future-ready by building 21st-century skills.
3) Make students focus on both academic and non-academic pursuits.
4) Provide various learning opportunities for pre-primary, open, and distance-learning students.
5) Give access to counselling and other services for students.
Nearly 30% of students in India drop out after grade 10 – as per KPMG’s report.

Therefore, this new national policy on education will also provide multiple exit options for mid-term drop-out students with 1 year of Certification or 2 years of Diploma.

With so many growing opportunities, students’ curiosity and confusion will also grow. So, they are suggested to take the help of the experts and professionals in making the right career decisions.

The first expert the students come across is the Teacher. Hence, the Indian government has something to offer for the teachers as well.

Impact on Teachers:

13% of secondary school teachers in India are not professionally skilled – as per KPMG’s report.

Therefore, the Government of India has decided to make their teachers more skilled and equipped with futuristic teaching skills. See what teachers will get from the new education policy:

Introduction of professional teaching standards.
Clearer outlined roles and responsibilities.
Training to monitor and improve their capabilities.
More focus on 21st-century teaching skills.
A transparent recruitment and selection process for teachers to motivate them and improve their performance.

Education is not about loading a child with information. It is to develop the body and the mind to the highest possible capability. – Anonymous

Teachers not only guide the students for their academic excellence but also mentor them in taking the right career decisions. Therefore, they should equip themselves with new-age teaching methods.

Role of Teachers as Career Counsellors

Students do not only look up to the teachers for course completion but also expect guidance for their further future interests. They spend most of the time in schools and that’s why no one can understand their aspirations better than teachers.

Teachers are their first career guides. They advise students to choose the right course, right subjects, correct stream, improve their academic scores, and most importantly, make them able to take the correct career path.

To assist students and fulfil these major responsibilities, teachers need to be trained, informed, and even certified in the areas of career counselling.

(Source Parul Sharma)

New Education Policy 2020 Key Differences
Factors	Existing Educational Structure	New Educational Structure
Streams	3 Major Streams – Science – Arts – Commerce	No Hard Separation of Stream
Pedagogical Structure	10+2+3	5+3+3+4
Board Exams	Based on Memorizing Facts & Used to Held Once a Year	Based on Core Competencies & will be Held Twice a Year
Degree Completion	A Degree will be Provided After 3 or 4 Years	Multiple Exit Options with 1 Year of Certificate & 2 Years of Diploma
Vocational Studies	Nil	From Class 6 with Internship
Scores	Based on Obtained Marks	Based on 360 Degree Performance Evaluation
Entrance Test	Multiple	Single