Dr Rashpal Singh
Education is the best defining feature in the life of an individual. Whole Country’s Education System runs on Policies being framed by Parliamentarians time to time by the Consultation of all the Stakeholders associated with Education and its Allies. Our Country has seen different Education Policies after getting Independence from British rule. But after the gap of almost three and half decades India got National Education Policy 2020 by NDA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Government of India paved the New Education Policy 2020 on 29th July 2020 for Strengthening the School and higher Education. Firstly the drafting committee of NEP renamed MHRD to Ministry of Education. Main aim of this Policy is to promote the Indian Ethos for direct transforming India into BHARAT with vibrant and equitable Quality Education for all. NEP 2020 dreams for making India a Superpower of Knowledge as India is the Youngest Nation around the Globe. Vision of this Policy is to inculcate among the learners a deep rooted Pride of being Indian with Spirit, intellect and deeds after having deep knowledge. The Chairperson of New Education Policy 2020 is K. Kasturirangan advocated that no language will be imposed and multi lingual flexibility is still the basis of NEP. Objective of NEP 2020 is for making Indian Educational System equipollent with International standards having SDG4 i.e., Sustainable Development Goal which promotes Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promotes life learning opportunities for all. This new Education Policy will provide equal contingency to each and everyone regardless to backgrounds. The world is undergoing rapid changes in the knowledge landscape and to grapple with universal scenario of Education System, NEP 2020 will serve a biggest gizmo. Nearly 2.5 lakh suggestions were taken while framing the draft of the Policy from almost every person of every walk of life and a document of 484 Pages published and put in Public domain which is based on three basic fundamentals of Educate, Encourage, Enlighten. This New Education Policy is the first Policy of 21st Century which promotes many developmental imperatives of our country. This Policy also promotes the Creative Potential of every individual with not only Cognitive but foundational Capacities of Literacy and Numeracy. Problem Solving with Critical thinking and must have Ethical, Social, Emotional Capacities and dispositions. The rich heritage and Cultural Values of Country is the guiding force of this Policy in order to make our learners a learnt one with knowledge, Wisdom and Truth which will make them a great human of self realization and liberation. Purpose of this Policy is to develop human resources capable of Rational thought with courage and resilience. This New Education Policy will provide all opportunities in which learners will feel welcomed in the Education Institutions, flexibility in their learning trajectories. No hard Separation in the Choice of Subjects and it can be multidisciplinary with holistic approach in between Vocational and academics. New Policy also laid emphasis over the development of life skills with use of technology and constitutional values. NEP 2020 has 27 Chapters out of them 8 Pertains to School Education, 11 belongs to Higher Education, 5 Belongs to key areas of focus and 3 for its implementation and financial implications. Policy envisages Ten plus Two (10+2) Structure of Education has been modified to Five plus Three plus Three plus Four (5+3+3+4). First five years dedicated to Pre Primary or Kindergarden including Class 1st and 2nd (Foundational Stage) Next three years for Classes 3rd to 5th (Primary Stage) then three years for Classes 6th to 8th (Middle Stage) and final four years will be carried in Classes 9th-12th (Secondary Stage). In 10+2 Structure of Education Children with age group of 3-6 was not Covered as Child of Six years enters in Class 1st. But in present scenario Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) will serve a greatest tool of learning in the age group of 3 aiming better Erudition development and well being because 85 per cent Child’s Cumulative brain development occurs prior to the age of 6. ECCE consist multiple faceted, flexible, multilevel, Playway, Enquiry Based, comprising of alphabets, languages, Counting numbers, Colours, Shapes, indoor, outdoor, Puzzles, Paintings, Puzzles, music, Drama, Puppetry etc. Main aim of ECCE is to draw best out of a Child which may develop Physical, Cognitive and motor developments. Anganwaris with Pre Primary Schools will play a vital role in achieving the requisite goals of ECCE and Child before the age of 5 should remain in Bal Vatika. ECCE qualified teachers will take care of them. Directorate of Samagra Shiksha in Jammu and Kashmir has taken an initiative for appointing females who are designated as AAYAS on contract basis. Chapter Second of NEP 2020 entitled Foundational in literacy and Numeracy which means reading and writing and this aims that Students of Class 3rd will attain foundational literacy and Numeracy by the end of 2025-26 in all the Primary Schools with filling of Vacancies of Primary teachers in the light of Pupil Teachers Ratio (PTR) in the fraction of 30:1 as admissible. Chapter 3 advocates the Curtailment of Dropout rates of Students especially From Grade 8. Significant Dropout rates have been seen and it needs to curve down. Chapter 4 highlights the importance of Uniform Curriculum System and pedagogical Skills in Students with the interest of learners at different stages of learning. Chapter 5th says Teachers truly shapes the future of our Children and therefore the future of our country, that’s why the teachers are the most respectful Citizens of the Nation. Only the very best and most learnt become the teachers. Society Calls Teachers as `Guru’ that needed to pass their knowledge and skills to learners so that they can become the best human beings in the society. Recruitments will be observed through TETs i.e., Teachers Eligibility Test across all stages of Primary, Middle and Secondary. Teachers will be given all opportunities to learn new skills of teachings with advancement in their Profession. Each Teacher is expected to participate in 50 hours of Career Professional Development (CPD) in every year. Chapter 6 laid emphasis over the Inclusive and Equitable Education which is much important in bringing the Children with special needs at par to normal Children and this requires Special Educators, so that actual aim of the policy can be drawn out. Chapter 7 highlights efficient Resourcing and effective Governance through School Complexes/ Clusters. Sharing of knowledge is greatest feature, and learning is not possible in isolation. Small Sized School should not feel isolated and Policy envisage for sharing of knowledge in between Clusters or Complexes. Chapter 8 Pertains to School Regulatory System must be improved with its outcomes and it shouldn’t be restricted for performance. Private and Government Schools must come for quality Education with equal opportunities. Academic matters and academic Standards with Curricula in States will be led by SCERTs in close liaison with NCERT. SCERTs will develop School Quality Assessment and accreditation frame work (SQAAF) with consultation of all the stakeholders working as field functionaries of DIETs. Chapter 9 calls attention for setting up quality Universities and Colleges so that challenges of 21st century can be aligned. Chapter 10 says for transforming Universities into multidisciplinary approach and HEI Clusters are the largest focus with Heritage Universities which will offer Graduate and undergraduate courses with ample opportunities. Although Vocational Education will start from Class 6th onwards but this will become Professional Development of a Student when he or she proceeds in Higher Education in order to make human resource a skilled one. As of now our Country is highly populated and its demands are also very large. Everyone can’t be accommodated in Government Sector. Hence if our Human Resource will be skilled only then they can earn their bread and butter with every Pride within the Country and even abroad. Chapter 11 advocates about Holistic and Multidisciplinary approach of learning with new innovations and soft Skills. Chapter 12 has highlighted the importance of optimal learning Environments and Support System as the curriculum needs to be updated with latest coverage and as per the needs of a learner. The Credit based System will be implemented with criterion of assessment based on learning Goals. Policy will help the Students to reach out with International Universities on an affordable cost and thereby helping India in the restoration role as Vishwa Guru. Financial help will be made to students falling in the categories of SC, ST, OBCs, and SEDGs. Autonomous System has been introduced while framing Tenure track and confirmed employment after Probation. Policy also emphasis over the equity and inclusion of higher Education with Priorities in Quality Education for all and development of Curriculum more inclusive with employment Opportunities. Teacher Education is also a very important aspect of NEP 2020 which defines for 4 Years Integrated Course for becoming Teachers. Certification courses will run and when a student leave the degree Course inbetween will get Certificate of all those years. National Accreditation Council, General Education Council, National Council for Teacher Education, National Council for Vocational training etc will play their active roles in Standard Settings of Colleges/ Universities across the Country. Professional Education is the most important aspect of higher Education but it should be valued in Ethics and Public Purpose and interdisciplinary based on Discussion, Innovation, Research and debates. Enrollment in Agriculture Universities is less than 1 per cent of total number of Registration and its matter of Concern. NEP 2020 also aims on digital learning through DIKSHA, SWAYAM, E-libraries, Blended mode etc. Implementation of NEP is running presently across the Country with all financial implications and by 2030, this New Education Policy will bring all heights of achievements.
(The author is senior lecturer, DIET Kud).
