The National Education Policy 2020 has been presented at the right time. Reformed with the vision of creating a quality education system, and a culture of innovation. Indian government replaced a 34-years-old National Policy on Education, which was prepared in 1986. The new education policy is approved by the union cabinet and makes significant reforms in higher studies, including teaching. According to the New Education Policy, there must be a single regulator for higher education institutions. Changes in degree courses as availability of multiple entries and exit options in degree courses. Common entrance exams for universities and discontinuation of MPhil programs.
Important Highlights Of New Education Policy:
- Schooling starts at the age of 3 years now: The New Education Policy extends the age group 6-14 years of compulsory education to 3-18 years of schooling. The NEP presents three years of pre-schooling, for the age group of 3-6 years under the school educational program. This will have 12 years of schooling including three years of pre-schooling. And it gives more emphasis on early childhood care and education (ECCE), the current 10+2 structure of the school curriculum is to be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to the different age groups.
- The medium of instruction would be the mother tongue: The New Education Policy keeps more focus on the student’s mother tongue as the medium of instruction. But it also sticks to the three-language formula, where instruction must be given in the mother tongue not making it compulsory.
- NO UGC, AICTE, NCTE: As per this policy, there must be a single umbrella body for complete higher education, excluding medical and legal education. The Higher Education Commission of India(HECI) will be set up for this work. There will be the same set and norms for public and private education institutions along with the accreditation and academic standards.
- Science, Commerce & arts gets obscured: Under NEP 2020, there will be no rigid separations among the sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities. Students can choose subjects of their preference across the streams. Vocational education will begin in schools from the sixth grade and will include an internship.
- Four Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP) Programme Returns: Under the New Education Policy, the duration of the graduation degree will be of either 3 or 4 years with multiple exit options. It is mandatory for colleges to provide a certificate after completing 1 year in a particular discipline and further the same diploma after 2 years of study and 3-years of a Bachelor’s degree program.
