Highlights:
India revises its education policy after 34 years.
Ministry of HRD renamed as Ministry of Education.
5+3+3+4 school curriculum structure to replace the 10+2 system.
MPhil courses to be discontinued.
New National Education Policy, NEP 2020 has been introduced. The policy’s emphasis on Higher Education in the country has a far-reaching impact and addresses the importance of research and multi-disciplinary approach.
This is the third NEP after the ones adopted in 1968 and 1986, with the second one modified in 1992.
A panel led by former ISRO Chief K Kasturirangan had submitted the draft of the new NEP to Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ last year.
The policy aims to achieve 100% of youth and adult literacy.
PM Modi said the New Education Policy will rebuild millions of lives by making India a knowledge centre in an era where learning, research and innovation are significant. In a series of tweets, the PM said NEP is based on the pillars of “access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability”.
Ministry of Human Resource Development has been renamed as Ministry of Education. The formal announcement will be made later today, news agency ANI reported. The Union Cabinet has approved the change in the name of the ministry.
Several changes likely ahead for the Indian education system
All fees and charges set by private HEIs will be transparently and fully uncovered, and there shall be no arbitrary rises in these fees/charges during the period of enrollment.
The final policy document makes it clear that “there will be greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State.
The new school system will be a 5+3+3+4 formula instead of the current 10+2 followed across schools in India.
Pre-school sections covering at least one year of early childhood care and education will be added to Kendriya Vidyalayas and other primary schools.
In classes 11 and 12, students will have the alternative to choose subjects such as arts and crafts and vocational alongside the traditional ones. For example, a science student will be able to choose an arts subject.
Class 10 and 12 board examinations will be made easier, to test core capabilities rather than memorised facts, with all students allowed to take the exam twice.
State Governments may encourage opening NCC wings in their secondary and higher secondary schools.
MPhil courses will be discontinued. The minimum eligibility for a PhD will now either be a four-year programme with research or Master’s after a three-year programme.