The draft New National Education Policy (NEP),2019 which is now uploaded on the HRD Ministry website has recommended to restructure the school curriculum and pedagogy in a new “5+3+3+4 design”.
This is a major revamp from the legacies of the National Policy on Education, 1968, that followed the “10+2 “ format in the school education system.
K Kasturirangan, who is currently heading the NEP as well as a former ISRO Chief is of the opinion that so far the 10+2 school education system has well served the country but the in modern times w.r.t the employment and the advances and discoveries in cognitive science has made crystal clear that a new structure for the educational system is required.
What Is The Aim Behind This Change?
This restructuring has been proposed to meet the contemporary and futuristic needs of the population with regard to the quality education, innovation, and research.
In order to make India a knowledge superpower so as to eliminate the shortage of manpower in science, tech, academics, and industry.
Reconfiguration of The Traditional 10+2 format To New 5+3+3+4
Under this policy, the concept of “Higher secondary” or “junior college” will be eliminated. The 11th and 12th standard would be considered an integral part of the secondary stage which constitutes classes 9-10.
- There’ll be five years of the foundational stage that will include – three years of pre-primary school and grade 1 and 2.
- Which will be followed by three years of preparatory( or latter primary) stages that include grades 3,4 and 5.
- Then, three years of the middle(or upper primary) stage – includes grades 6, 7 and 8.
- And finally, Four years of the high(or secondary) stage– Includes grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.
The New Pedagogy Adopted And The Semesters At Various Stages
The educational system seeks to reduce the content load in the education curriculum and promoting a pedagogy that will focus on the development of core capabilities and life skills needed for the 21st century.
Also, there would be no firm division of learning areas in terms of curricular, co-curricular and extra- circular and all subjects such as – arts, music, crafts, sports, yoga and community service will be part of the circular.
Also, the secondary stage will be divided into 2 semesters, for a total of 8 semesters. Each student would have to take 5-6 subjects each semester with a few common subjects for all, while simultaneously choosing electives of their choice.
Four Year Undergrad Honor Courses
One of the proposals by the draft New Education Policy suggested reintroduction of a four-year course as a part of undergraduate reform.
They also suggested giving the freedom to students of leaving the course after two years with a diploma or after three years with a graduate degree (without honours).
Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP) Aims At Revamping Higher Education.
The government is looking for ways to replace the subsidy in th top educational institutes including IITs and enable direct transfer of eligible students.
It is also planning to set up a national crowd-funding to help students and colleges raise funds – Both the plans are a part of EQUIP that aims at revamping the higher education.
Ten experts groups constituted by the HRD ministry formed to formulate a plan for EQUIP have made the above recommendations.
The key proposal is the Each One, Teach One, which is a nationwide initiative that urges the families to support the educational needs of at least one student.
Target And Plans
The target is to raise more than Rs 2500 crore and support over than 10 lakh students.
EQUIPs expert group has recommended huge government funding linked directly to students and advises reimbursing a student’s fee directly in his account through a direct benefit transfer instead of subsiding the institute.
The draft has proposed a fee regulation in schools and higher institutes and also states scholarships and policies are important for disadvantaged students.
The group has announced full tax exemption for donations through these portals for education so as to encourage more people to take it up and has also advised for set up of philanthropy offices to be established in all colleges.
