The New Educational policy or NEP was introduced with the vision to transform and create a new inclusive way of learning. Education has always been considered a crucial element for both the development of the nation and humans and to maintain and upscale that development, a new structure and reform are required.

These reforms if implemented righteously can create a major difference in the future while uplifting the curriculum and courses, in the biggest of institutions. 

National Education Policy was introduced in 2020, with the aim of developing a human being with rational thoughts, compassion, courage, empathy, action, knowledge, and creative imagination.

Apart from this, NEP 2020 is trying to achieve foundational literacy up to grade 3, emphasizing conceptual understanding, and creative and critical thinking. To promote multilingualism, extensive technological use, and respect for diversity.

NEP 2020 Key Points

School Education

• The policy focuses on establishing foundational literacy with the curricular reconstruction of 5+3+3+4 for the ages 3-18. Preschool 3 years+ class 1 & 2 (2 years) = 5 years + class 3 to 5 (3 years) + class 6 to 8 (3 years) + class 9 to 12 ( 4 years). To enrich foundational learning up to grade 3 and reduce dropout rates.
• Art and sports integration approach to the curriculum. Flexible choices in courses from opting for vocational subjects to opting for stream subjects, the flexibility to choose is provided.
• Imparting knowledge in native languages, wherever possible, at least till grade 5 or 8, medium of instruction would be the regional or the native language.
• Scientific – temper and evidence-based thinking, creativity, innovativeness, aesthetics and arts, written and oral communication skills, nutrition, physical fitness, and sports are some skills that are required to be learned by all students. 
• Renewed national textbooks with local content and low-cost building materials to lessen a load of pricey textbooks off students and also aims to promote inclusive education.  
• The progress card of all students will be redesigned under the guidance of the proposed National Assessment Centre, by NCERT & SCERT
• Set standards for teacher employment will be maintained to get quality professionals and incentives and essential raises will be provided. 

Higher Education

• Quality education with a deeper understanding of specific fields. 
• Aim to transform higher education institutions into large multidisciplinary universities. 
• A system will be created of transparent graded accreditation.
• Higher education institutions will be established near or in every district to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. 
• To determine the increased level of public funding in HEI, a fair and transparent system will be created. 
• University is a multidisciplinary institution that offers undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs, any present nomenclature stating such as ‘deemed to be university, ‘affiliating university, ‘affiliating technical university, or ‘unitary university’ will be replaced with ‘university’. 
• MPhil program shall be discontinued. Ph.D. will require either a master’s degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree with research. 
• Vocational education will be integrated into all schools and higher education institutions. 
• Inclusion of research and internships in the undergraduate curriculum and governance and regulatory changes that emphasize research and innovation.
• A Board of governors consisting of a highly qualified group will be established in higher education institutions.

Other Important Points of NEP 2020 includes

• NEP is directed to promote Indian culture, languages, and art. Incredible local art and craftisan will be hired as faculty members to promote music, art, language and handicrafts.
• Technological integration will improve the quality of education. National Education Technology Forum to enhance learning, assessment, planning and administration for both school and higher education institutions.
• Development of digital infrastructure, appropriate and extensive use of online teaching tools such as DIKSHA to provide teachers with user friendly assistive technology, addressing the digital divide between two set of groups, and providing training incentive for teachers.

Implementation

Implementation of any policy showcases its true potential, if implemented correctly the policy framework may turn out to be the best of its kind in the history of education.

Empowering the Central Advisory Board of Education to develop, articulate and revise the vision of education in the country on a continuous basis. The next step is to provide accessible, and quality education for all by investing in education by the government and increase its value from 4% to 6% of the GDP.

This entire examination of the policy showcases that the policy is created keeping in mind the personal and societal development of an individual. If implemented with clear directions, the policy will prove to be a holistic and a successfully thought out vision. 

Today, some of the policy framework has already started to take over the previous curriculum and are set out to change the understanding of quality education or let alone become the inspiration for it. 

The policy also aims to target the creative and critical output of  the students while carefully carving teachers’ skills. It is directed to develop a society full of invested, encouraging and enthusiastic individuals who strive to contribute immensely to the society.