What is the New Education Policy and what’s in store for you?

What’s New Education Policy has in store for you New Delhi Talking about studies and education may seem a bit too stressful in this time of lockdown and Coronavirus, but the government doesn’t seem to mind the timing. The Cabinet approved New Education Policy last week and suggested many revolutionary changes in the way education can be earned by the upcoming generation. Here are a few highlights of the policy… One of the aims of the policy is to instill a “deep-rooted pride” in being Indian, not only in thought, but also in spirit, intellect, and deeds, as well as to develop knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions that support responsible commitment to human rights, sustainable development and living, and global well-being. The policy also aims at “light but tight” regulation by a single regulator for higher education as well as an increased access, equity, and inclusion. The New Education Policy expands age group 6-14 years of mandatory schooling to 3-18 years of schooling. The NEP introduced hitherto uncovered three years of pre-schooling, age group of 3-6 years under the school curriculum. The new system will have 12 years of schooling with three years of Anganwadi/ pre-schooling. With an emphasis on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the 10+2 structure of school curriculum is to be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively. The NEP lays down that by 2040, all higher education institutions (HEIs) shall aim to become multidisciplinary institutions, each of which will aim to have 3,000 or more students. There shall, by 2030, be at least one large multidisciplinary institution in or near every district. Single-stream higher education institutions will be phased out over time, and all will move towards becoming multidisciplinary. The system of ‘affiliated colleges’ will be gradually phased out in 15 years. Even engineering institutions, such as IITs, will move towards more holistic and multidisciplinary education with more arts and humanities. Students of arts and humanities will aim to learn more science. Departments in Languages, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Indology, Art, Dance, Theatre, Education, Mathematics, Statistics, Pure and Applied Sciences, Sociology, Economics, Sports, Translation and Interpretation, etc. will be established and strengthened at all HEIs. The undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4-year duration, with multiple exit options. For instance a certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline or field including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after 2 years of study, or a Bachelor’s degree after a 3-year programme. The 4-year multidisciplinary Bachelor’s programme, however, shall be the preferred option. An Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) shall be established which would digitally store the academic credits earned. The 4-year programme may also lead to a degree ‘with Research’ if the student completes a rigorous research project. Higher education institutions shall move away from high-stakes examinations towards continuous and comprehensive evaluation. India will be promoted as a global study destination providing premium education at affordable costs. An International Students Office at each institution hosting foreign students will be set up. High performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries. Selected universities like those from among the top 100 universities in the world will be facilitated to operate in India. In every education institution, there shall be counselling systems for handling stress and emotional adjustments. By 2025, at least 50% of learners through the school and higher education system shall have exposure to vocational education.