Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introducing significant changes in the Indian education system at every level – from school to college. The new policy aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”. The Ministry of Human Resource Development has been renamed as the Ministry of Education as part of this policy change. This is the third significant overhaul in the Indian education framework since the country’s independence, with previous policies introduced in 1968 and 1986.
School Education Reforms
The NEP 2020 envisages the universalization of education from preschool to secondary level. It has set a target of 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030. A crucial element of the policy is to mainstream the 2 crore children currently not in school through an open schooling system.
The current 10+2 system will be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to the age groups 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years. These changes aim at bringing the previously overlooked age group of 3-6 years into the school curriculum.
Changes also include making board examinations for classes 10 and 12 easier, with an emphasis on testing core competencies over rote learning. These exams can be taken twice by all students. School governance is also up for significant changes with a new accreditation framework and independent authority to regulate public and private schools alike.
Teaching and Vocational Training
NEP 2020 emphasises foundational literacy and numeracy and encourages a flexible approach toward academic streams, vocational streams, and extracurricular activities in schools. Vocational education will start from Class 6 with internships. Up to grade 5, teaching will be in the mother tongue/regional language, and no language will be imposed on any student.
There will also be a new National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE) 2021, developed by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in consultation with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree.
Higher Education Reforms
The policy aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to 50% by 2035 and add 3.5 crore seats to higher education. Flexibility is introduced in undergraduate education which can span 3 or 4 years with multiple exit options and appropriate certification.
Interdisciplinarity will be encouraged at all levels and M.Phil courses will be discontinued. In addition, an Academic Bank of Credits will be established to facilitate Transfer of Credits.
New Institutions and Bodies
The establishment of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), akin to IITs, IIMs, is proposed to set global standards in multidisciplinary education. The National Research Foundation will be established to foster research culture across higher education.
In a major revamp, the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up as a single umbrella body for the whole higher education sector, excluding medical and legal education. HECI will consist of four independent verticals, namely, National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation, General Education Council (GEC) for standard setting, Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding, and National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation.
Investment and Other Changes
Other changes include the formation of an autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), to exchange ideas on using technology to enhance education. The policy also sets the stage for foreign universities to establish campuses in India. It further introduces a focus on setting up Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups.
The public investment in the Education sector is aimed to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest. Currently, India spends around 4.6% of its total GDP on education.
Education in India: Constitutional Provisions and Related Laws
Part IV of the Indian Constitution, Article 45 and Article 39 (f) of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), has provisions for state-funded, equitable and accessible education. The 42nd Amendment in 1976 moved education from State to the Concurrent List. Education policies by the Central government provide a broad direction which state governments are expected to follow, although it isn’t mandatory. For example, Tamil Nadu doesn’t follow the three-language formula prescribed by the first education policy in 1968.
The Right To Education Act, 2009, enforces education as a Fundamental Right for all children aged 6 to 14 years and stipulates a 25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of the society.
Government Initiatives
Several noteworthy initiatives were launched as a result of the previous NEP of 1986, including Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid Day Meal Scheme, Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS schools), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV schools), and the use of IT in education.