The Indian Government Cabinet has approved a new Education Policy on 29th July 2020. The National Education Policy 2020 is meant to provide an overarching vision and comprehensive framework for both school and higher education across the country. This is not a law yet and implementation of this proposal depends on how Union and State Goverments align with the policy. This is because Education is governed by both Union and State Goverments.
Some Key Features (as of 1st Aug 2020):
- 10+2 Board Structure to be dropped
- New school structure will be 5+3+3+4 (Upto 5th class is foundation and Preparatory, 6th to 8th class is Middle School and 9th to 12th class is High/Secondary School). Beyond 12th Class will be graduation.
- All graduation courses will have Major and minor. Example: A science student can major in Physics but also may explore arts such as Music as minor. The combination is student’s choice.
- All higher education will be governed by a Single Authority.
- UGC and AICTE will be merged.
- All educational institutions will have same grading system.
- New teacher Training board will be setup for preparing the teachers for the new system.
- Same level of Accredition to any college. Based on rating of the college, it will get autonomous status and funds.
- New basic learning program will be created by Goverment for parents to teach children upto 3 years and for Pre-School upto age of 6.
- Multiple Entry and Exit possibilities for courses.
- Credit System for Graduation courses. For completing each year/semester student will get credits that will be valid if the student wishes to change the university/college or wishes to take a break and then return after few years.
- All exams will be semester pattern (twice a year)
- The syllabus will be reduced to core knowledge of any subject.
- For any graduation course, if the student completes only 1 year, they will get Basic Certificate. For completing 2 years, they will get Diploma Certificate and if they complete the full course then they will get degree certificate. In this way, any student who wishes to break the course in the middle, goes out with a certain type of certificate.
For detailed infographics on the new National Education Policy 2020 download the below document.
Below link has the document released by Government of India with information on the National Education Policy 2020.
https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English.pdf