Schools, higher education to be overhauled by National Education Policy 2020

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This is the first education policy of the 21st century to replace the thirty-four-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986.
The policy aims at universalisation of education from pre-school to secondary level with 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030.

1. The 5+3+3+4 system

The 10+2 structure of school curricula 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. This will include 12 years of schooling and three years of Anganwadi and pre-schooling.

2. Schooling from 3 years

According to the New Education Policy, from the age of 3, children will be part of  Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). This will be delivered through a) standalone Anganwadis; b) Anganwadis co-located with primary schools; c) pre-primary schools/sections covering at least age 5 to 6 years co-located with existing primary schools; and d) stand-alone pre-schools - all of which would recruit workers/teachers specially trained in the curriculum and pedagogy of ECCE.

3. Teaching up to class five in the mother tongue/regional language

The mother tongue or local or regional language will be the medium of instruction in all schools up to Class 5 (preferably till Class 8 and beyond), according to the NEP. Besides, Sanskrit will be offered at all levels and foreign languages from the secondary school level.

4.  Academic Bank of Credit

This is to be established for digitally storing academic credits earned from different HEIs so that these can be transferred and counted towards the final degree earned. The academic credit stored in a digital locker will be like a bank credit through which a student will be able to resume education after a break as specified by the higher education commission later.

5. Multiple entry and exit points in higher education

The new policy will have multiple entry and exit points. Under the four-year programme students can exit after one year with a certificate, after two years with a diploma and a Bachelor's degree after three years and Bachelor's with research after 4 years. The multiple entry and exit will be done through the academic bank of credit.

6. Easing of board exams

The board exams for class 10 and 12 will continue. However, the board exams will be made 'easier' as they will primarily test core capacities, competencies rather than months of coaching or memorisation.

7. Foreign universities in India

8. NEP ends science-commerce-arts streams

NEP has eliminated the rigid separation of streams. Students will now be able to choose subjects like history and physics at the same time in class 11 and 12.

9. National Educational Technology Forum

An autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), will be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration.

10. Common entrance exam for college admission

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct entrance examinations for admissions to universities across the country. The NTA already conducts the all-India engineering entrance exam --JEE Main, NEET, UGC NET, and others. As per the NEP 2020, the entrance exam to be conducted by the NTA for admission to universities and colleges will be optional.