Education Policy Overhaul Gets Go-ahead From Cabinet
The Cabinet has given the green light to the New Education Policy (NEP), marking the first significant overhaul in the country's educational framework in over three decades. The revamped policy introduces a 5+3+3+4 formula with the aim of reshaping the traditional schooling structure.
The foundational stage will reportedly span five years, commencing with Nursery at four years and culminating with standard 2nd at eight years. Following this, a three-year preparatory stage will set the groundwork for students, leading into a three-year middle stage. The secondary stage, spanning four years, concludes with Standard SYJC at 18 years.
The policy mandates that students up to the fifth standard be taught exclusively in their mother tongue, local language or the national language. English and other languages will be treated as subjects, reflecting new commitment to linguistic diversity.
Perhaps the most significant shift is the scrapping of the 10th board exam, streamlining the assessment process to only the 12th board. Additionally, a semester-based examination system will be implemented from the 9th to 12th grades, offering a more continuous and comprehensive evaluation of students.
The college degree structure will also undergo a transformation, with options for three-year and four-year programs. A four-year degree is designed for those not pursuing higher education, while a four-year degree is tailored for students continuing to advanced studies. Students pursuing a four-year degree will have the opportunity to complete their MA in just one year.
In a bid to simplify the academic journey, the policy eliminates the MPhil requirement, enabling MA students to directly pursue a PhD. The flexibility extends to the examination process, allowing students to take breaks during their course to explore other fields.
Higher education institutions, numbering 45,000 across the country will witness sweeping reforms, including graded academic, administrative, and financial autonomy. The introduction of e-courses in regional languages, virtual labs and the establishment of the National Educational Scientific Forum (NETF) are geared towards enhancing the overall learning experience.
The policy has stressed on uniformity, applying the same rules to all institutions, be they government, private or deemed. This approach reportedly seeks to bridge gaps and standardise the educational landscape across the nation.
These changes mark a paradigm shift in India's education system, stressing on linguistic diversity, reducing the burden of examinations and offering students a more flexible and personalised learning journey.
