India’s education system has undergone a significant transformation with the introduction of the New National Education Policy (NEP) 2024. The policy, approved by the Union Cabinet of India, aims to empower students with high-quality education and job-centric skills. The National Education Policy 2024 is an evolution of the National Education Policy introduced in 2020 by Prime Minister Modi. This policy aims to propel India further towards becoming a thriving knowledge-based society and a global leader in the realm of knowledge. Among its key objectives are enhancing the quality of education, promoting holistic learning, ensuring equitable access and fostering innovation and research. By prioritising continuous improvement and a focus on holistic development, NEP is well-positioned to create a brighter future for India and its people.
India’s education sector has seen the implementation of various national education policies since 1968. The first major National Education Policy (NEP) in India was first created in 1968 by Prime Minister Indra Gandhi to pursue total reformation of the whole education system. This policy aims to affect all sectors of society to achieve the goal of harmony and integration. The 1968 policy created a foundation where it recommended the local regional languages of India to be used for education in secondary schools. It also had the opinion of using English as a medium of instruction in school and considered Hindi as the national language of India. The policy was widely criticised for its promotion of the “three language formula”, primarily due to the sentiment of students that forcefully had a third language thrust upon them. The policy was very vague and lacked clarity, especially in indicating how the guidelines would be implemented. This policy, however, received considerable attention as the first of its kind to give proper direction to the education system in India.
The second major National Education Policy in India was launched by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to provide education to all sectors of society. One of the major goals of this policy was to reach out to castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes and women, who were deprived of educational opportunities for centuries. To achieve this goal, the policy focused on providing fellowship programs to support students and teachers of poor backgrounds, castes and oppressed groups. The policy also contained various other goals such as opening more educational institutions to meet the growing demand for education, providing education in rural areas, strong focus on child centric approach to primary education and setting the stage for materialisation of information technology for education. In 1992, the policy was further modified and improved upon by placing an emphasis on quality enhancement.
The third major National Education Policy in India was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020 and contains five primary guiding principles of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability. NEP 2020 emphasises on the core value and principle that education must develop not only cognitive skills that are referred as the “foundational skills” for literacy and numeracy, but also develop higher order skills such as social and emotional. The policy also emphasises the development of soft skills such as social and emotional skills that include cultural awareness, empathy, teamwork, leadership, perseverance, grit, communication, etc. The policy aims and aspires to spread pre-primary education and places a special emphasis on providing foundational literacy to all citizens of India by 2025. This policy contains a large number of reforms at all levels of school education which seek to ensure quality of schools, strengthening of teacher training, reform in the current exams and assessment system, transformation of the curriculum including teaching with 5+3+3+4 design covering children in the age group 3-18 years and restructuring the education regulatory framework. The policy also proposes revision and revamping of all aspects of the education system, including the school regulations and governance to create a new system that is more aligned with the aspiring goals of the modern era combined with India’s tradition, culture and value system.
Key Changes Introduced By New National Education Policy
The New National Education Policy has introduced several key changes to the Indian education system, including changes to the curriculum framework, the creation of a singular umbrella body for higher learning, the free selection of disciplines and changes to the college and university system. Some of these changes include:
1. Revamping the Curriculum Framework
Replacing the 10+2 school curriculum framework with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, the new system now consists of 12 years of formal education and three years of preschool education. This structure emphasises Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
2. Forming a Singular Umbrella Body for Higher Learning
The policy has formed a Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to regulate and manage public and private higher education institutions.
3. Encouraging Free Selection of Disciplines
NEP 2024 aims to eliminate formal distinctions between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, or vocational and academic programs.
4. Changes to the College and University System
NEP 2024 proposes a flexible 4-year undergraduate program with multiple exit points (certificate, diploma, bachelor’s). Colleges must award certificates, diplomas, or bachelor’s degrees after one year of study in a topic or field, including vocational and professional fields.
5. Technological Integration
The National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), an independent body, will be established to promote the use of technology in enhancing the academic experience. The policy also supports distance learning programs and online courses.
6. Promotion of Indian Culture
NEP aims to encourage global collaborations between universities and institutions to promote the internationalisation of Indian education. It has introduced faculty exchange programs and supports top world universities to open campuses in India. These actions would better facilitate an exchange of ideas and culture between Indian and global institutions.
The National Education Policy (NEP) also emphasises the importance of promoting local and indigenous knowledge, as well as the development of community libraries. This policy also advocates for the use of mother tongue or regional language as the medium of instruction up to Class 5, fostering a more inclusive and diverse learning environment. Additionally, NEP 2023 promotes multidisciplinary learning, digital literacy, communication skills, problem-solving, logical reasoning and vocational education to enhance the quality of higher education institutions.
Objectives Of The New National Education Policy 2024
The NEP 2024 aims to provide a well-rounded, flexible and multidisciplinary education that nurtures the unique capabilities of each student. It focuses on the cognitive, emotional and societal development of students. The policy also aims to provide equal access to quality education to all students, regardless of their social or economic background. Further, the policy aims for quality improvement across all levels of education and encourages research, innovation and lifelong learning opportunities. It envisions positioning India as an international education hub and a global knowledge superpower.
Challenges And Opportunities Of The New Education Policy
While the NEP 2024 presents several opportunities, it also poses some challenges. Achieving high enrollment targets, securing adequate funding and hiring diverse educators to effectively implement the policy are some of the significant challenges. Moreover, the policy requires a large pool of qualified teachers familiar with the new pedagogical approach.
However, the NEP 2024 also presents several opportunities. It promotes a holistic approach to education, encourages the use of technology and emphasises the promotion of Indian culture. By providing equal access to quality education, the policy aims to empower every student in India.
Education is a cornerstone of civilization and its significance continues to grow for nations around the world. The quality of education in a country can significantly impact its future trajectory and the National Education Policy (NEP) recognizes this fact. With a commitment to continuous improvement, the National Education Policy aims to enhance learning with each passing year and create a better learning experience for all.
These changes in the education system will have a profound impact on various aspects of Indian society, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals who will serve as the backbone of the nation. Additionally, by preserving and nurturing the country’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage, NEP will help to maintain India’s unique identity in the global community. As India continues to work towards becoming a global knowledge superpower, the implementation of the New Education Policy will play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
Refrence By : https://english.jagran.com/education/new-national-education-policy-2024-navigating-challenges-embracing-opportunities-10156293