Samridhi Sajotra
In Indian society, education has always been accorded paramount importance. Expansion of one’s knowledge to achieve wisdom was considered one of the prime human goals in ancient Indian culture. Education is the fundamental requirement for nurturing a child’s capability and developing it to reach peak human potential. An educated society values the morals of equality and fairness and contributes in upholding the sanctity and prosperity of a nation. In order to maintain India’s growing trajectory towards development and economic progress, a nationwide access to quality education is a necessity. The immense potential and energy of the youth of our country can be harnessed through providing holistic and high-quality education, that nurtures virtue and instils morality in students plus focuses on multi-disciplinary academic learning, co-curricular activities and experiential learning.
From primitive to present times, the world has continuously evolved. The modern era is characterised by rapid technological progress, globalisation and complex socio-political structures. Breakthroughs in the field of science and technology have made our lives easier and transformed this world into a global village. Tech devices like mobile phones and Internet have penetrated our lives in such a way that now we are dependent on these for even the mundane tasks of our day-to-day routine. Activities like ordering food online to creating project files that can be shared across the world, all can be done on our fingertips. This technology driven lifestyle and work-ethic have made processing of things quicker and easier, but on the flip side, people who have been unable to adapt themselves to this digital mode of lifestyle, often find themselves lacking in skills and unfortunately are unable to maximise efficiency and productivity at their work places. In the job market also candidates who are well-equipped with the latest technology and have hands-on experience are often preferred by companies.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics, has pushed many jobs to extinction. This trend will only increase in the near future. A fresh expertise by the workforce will be required to deal with the impact of, integration of these cutting-edge technologies in the work environment. Climate change and dwindling natural resources will eventually lead us to innovate and invent new technologies and methodologies to meet the growing population’s physiological necessities like food, water, shelter and energy needs. Advancements in medical innovation and technology are crucial to improve healthcare facility and increase accessibility across urban and rural areas. COVID-19 clearly portrayed the significance of pharmaceutical innovation. Self-reliance in defence sector is a key factor in maintaining national security. “Atmanirbhar Bharat” focuses on indigenisation of defence sector by boosting domestic production and reducing imports. A future oriented approach to Research and Development along with in-house manufacturing of machinery and weaponry is needed. Entrepreneurship is a driving force behind economic development. Entrepreneurs create new businesses, foster innovation, create jobs, generate income and increase healthy competition in the marketplace. An education system should encourage the idea of entrepreneurship and nurture the traits required to become one.
All the above stated points clearly depict the dire need for an up-to-date education policy that matches the dynamic nature of the knowledge landscape. The upcoming workforce should be adept in multidisciplinary skills across the fields of science and humanities. Education provided to children must help them develop critical thinking, problem solving skills, enhance their creativity and instil a sense of responsibility and integrity in them. A well-rounded curriculum that is experiential, integrated, flexible and innovation oriented is required. Inclusion of subjects from sciences to humanities to art and craft to sports to culture and values, in a way that the curriculum fulfils all aspects of human development while making learning a blissful experience is imperative. The purpose of education should be to help children become competent professionals and good human beings.
To achieve the above stated intended learning objectives, a refinementof the current education system is required and the National Education Policy 2020, is a step towards that. It is the first education policy of 21st century, promulgated on 29 July 2020, by the Union Cabinet of Government of India chaired by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, formulated with the intention that it becomes a stepping stone for India to achieve it’s dream of becoming a developed nation. NEP 2020 addresses the unfulfilled agenda of National Policy on Education 1986 and it’s modification in 1992 (NPE 1986/92). It’s aim is to develop an education system that is deeply ingrained in Indian culture and values, that transforms India, that is Bharat into a global knowledge superpower. It aims to instil in students- a sense of respect and pride towards the nation, fundamental duties and constitutional values; along with a conscious awareness and commitment towards, ethical disposition and human rights.Some salient features of NEP 2020 are:
1. To ensure universal access of education at all levels of schooling from pre-primary to Class 12th.
2. To ensure quality Early Childhood Care and Education for all children between ages of 3-6 years.
3. Every student must attain foundational literacy and numeracy by class 3. The highest priority would be to achieve this in primary schools by 2025. In this regard, National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy would be established.
4. Modification of the earlier (10+2) structure in school education to a new curricular and pedagogical structure of (5+3+3+4) covering ages of 3-18 years.
5. No hard separation among ‘curricular’ and ‘co-curricular’, among ‘humanities’ and ‘sciences’ or between ‘vocational’ or ‘academic’ streams.
6. Promotion of multilingualism and Indian languages; the medium of instruction till at least class 5 but preferably till class 8 and beyond will be the home language/ mother tongue/ local language/ regional language.
7. Exposure of vocational education in school and higher education system.
8. Assessment Reforms- Students will be allowed to take Board Exams on up to two occasions during any given school year, one main examination and one for improvement, if desired.
9. Setting up of a new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development).
10. Equitable and inclusive education- Special emphasis to be given on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGS).
11. Teacher recruitment through fair and transparent process plus merit-based performance.
12. Multidisciplinary education with multiple entry/exit options.
13. NTA to offer common entrance exam for admission to higher education institutions.
14. Setting up of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs).
15. Establishment of National Research Foundation (NRF).
16. National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), an autonomous body to be created to provide a platform for free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration. Technology to be integrated at all levels of education.
17. Public investment in Education sector to reach 6% of GDP, at the earliest. The centre and the statesto work together in this regard.
This policy addresses the shortcomings of the education sector of our country and is an attempt to overcome them. It focuses on improving the overall standard of education across all levels. The aim of NEP 2020 is to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 100% in preschool to secondary level by 2030 and GER in higher education including vocational education from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035. The government has realised the importance of integrating latest technology into the curriculum. Special attention has also been paid to the field of research, to improve the innovation capability of our country.
July 2025 marked the completion of 5 years since this policy’s promulgation. It’s implementation is currently being carried out in a phased manner. Since education is a concurrent subject a collective effort from both centre and states along with all the relevant stakeholders is required, for it’s successful execution. As per the policy document, the government aims to put the entire policy in operation mode in the decade 2030-40, following which comprehensive reviews would be taken. This policy is a significant step in modernizing the education landscape of India while making sure that it’s true essence remains Indian. It is the first of many steps that will be required to make the Indian education system top of the line; so that all learners from India, regardless of their social and economic background get equitable access to top-notch education, and thereby fulfill their aspirations and contribute in nation’s welfare.