NEP, Rollout Plan Phases, Impact
This blog article covers details of the National Education Policy (NEP), developed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development under the Government of India.
National Education Policy
The National Education Policy was announced on July 29th, 2020. It covers proposals for potential reforms in the educational sector in India. This covers different aspects like school education and higher education (including technical education).
What is NEP System?
NEP System is simply the implementation of action points and revised curriculum activities to ensure that our education adapts to the needs of the modern world. Numerous features are mentioned in the NEP system to serve as turning points in the present educational sector.
Who Initiated the NEP System?
The NEP system’s principles and policies are formulated by a specialist panel headed by ISRO chief K Kasturirangan. It was submitted to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India for successful approval.
What are the Plan Phases of NEP?
The plan phases of NEP include school education, higher education and general lifelong education. These are shown in the below table:
| School education | Higher education | Professional education |
| Preschool education | Teacher education | Adult education |
| Inclusive education | Vocational education | Technology education |
| Equitable education | Faculty learning | Digital education |
| Multidisciplinary education | Technical education | Financing |
| Institutional and academic reorientation | Learning Environment | Research studies |
New NEP System’s Key Features
The primary features of the new education policy under the NEP system are as follows:
» It ensures universal access to all levels and grades of schooling.
» It ensures quality childhood education for 3 – 6-year-old kids.
» The school curriculum follows a new structure in the format 5+3+3+4 years.
» The streams, trades and activity levels don’t have a visible distinction like in the current days.
» Indian languages will be promoted at an emphatic level.
» Exams, boards and assessments will all undergo reforms under the new NEP system.
» There is a scope for equitable and inclusive education in the various education levels.
» The merit-based performance will be given more significance compared to the existing system.
» Schools will be divided under the cluster format and will get able support of the basic, necessary resources.
» More student enrollments will be promoted with the help of the active expansion of open and distance learning programs.
» Teachers will get efficient training and support to grow as part of the new system.
» Mutual collaboration between central and state bodies in improving the education quality within the country.
» There is the provision of an autonomous body called NETF, an authority organization to govern everything under the NEP system.
» Setting up of Parakh – Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development.
» International collaborations in terms of resources and programs are available as and when required.
How will the NEP Benefit Students?
The salient features of NEP are guaranteed to benefit students in both the short term and in long run. As per the new NEP system, schooling starts from a very early age of 3 years, paving the way for a holistic education experience in the future of the student.
Early childhood care and education are a guarantee in the new system. It changes the present 10+2 model to a more dynamic and wholesome schooling system of 5+3+3+4. This will empower the students to manage their school syllabi as per the appropriate age groups.
Is NEP Applicable to College Students?
Yes. NEP works perfectly in sync with the potential education of college students too. Quality education provisions in higher studies, university levels and colleges are a surefire guarantee under this scheme.
New Education Policy for Colleges
The fundamental thing about new education policy for colleges is that the line between science, arts and commerce streams will get blurred. Above that, the existence of different authority bodies like UGC, AICTE and NCTE will cease to exist.
This will ensure the regulation of academic standards at a fixed level. Dropouts from colleges will stop making the way for more value-based education. The government will directly intervene in case of matters like certifications, academic credits and transparency of national agencies.
Impact of National Education Policy (NEP)
NEP includes nine key chapters, each with a resourceful impact in its own right.
Impact of NEP on Students
For students, the biggest advantage and impact is that education under the NEP system is available to impart universal access. Students will undergo rigorous training and tracking with complete and capable support. The technology-based platform is available to ensure the holistic development of the students.
Impact of NEP on Higher Education
Under the higher studies scheme, the accreditation and standard-setting measures are on a different level compared to the existing model. The primary impact of NEP on higher education focuses on target factors like quality academic research, the transformation of the education system to supportive status and an optimal learning environment.
Drawbacks of the New Education Policy
The main drawbacks of the NEP system are as follows:
» There is a lack of clarity on how the quality of the teachers will be in the beginning phases of the system.
» The integration of the reform programs under different ministries is still not fully set.
» There is no fixed idea for the provision of open learning courses as of now.
» Some theoretical steps in the NEP system are hard to fix and follow.
» The testing at state and national levels could prove to be over-the-top or exhausting for students.
» There is a current digital divide in the education system and its followers (students, parents and teachers) that need to be immediately addressed.
» The holistic learning objectives under the NEP system still leave a lot to be desired.
Parting Thought
National Education Policy is a great step in the right direction showing the Government’s vision and desire in implementing education reforms for the long term. It will entirely depend on the transparency and the pace with which the Government can carry out the reform measures.
