It is fitting to pause and reflect on the significant developments that have swept across the Indian education landscape this year concerning the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as 2023 comes to an end. Three years into its implementation, the NEP has triggered a string of reforms aimed at fostering inclusivity, commitment to multilingualism, global collaboration, and innovation in higher education.
Let’s delve into the highlights and major progress that has transformed the educational landscape in India this year:
Multilingual Textbooks to Promote Regional Languages
One of the NEP’s key reforms is the commitment to diversify education with textbooks in 22 Indian languages. This initiative, intended to encourage inclusivity and accommodate linguistic diversity, is a significant step forward in promoting regional languages and social justice. The government hopes to bridge the gap and guarantee that quality education is not limited to a chosen linguistic group by making educational materials available in regional languages. In this regard, intending to foster regional languages, PM Modi released 100 books in 12 Indian languages this year.
National Curriculum Framework Pre-Draft
The new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) being created under NEP encompasses changes in the structure and pedagogy of school instruction at all levels, from foundational learning to secondary education. The NCF pre-draft released this year introduced the 5+3+3+4 structure, which suggested that three years of kindergarten will be included in the schooling system’s concept of formal education. Among the most significant changes is the early childhood education of children in their mother tongue.
US State Department Masters Programme Aligned with NEP 2020
A Master’s programme designed specifically for Indian students per the NEP has been put together by the US State Department, demonstrating the international acknowledgement of India’s educational reforms. This partnership highlights the policy’s goal of aligning Indian education with foreign norms, boosting intellectual interaction and global competitiveness. Participating in positive exchanges arranged by the State Department are around fifteen Indian colleges and twenty American universities in total.
Implementation of FYUP in Higher Education
The establishment of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) signifies an upgrade from the previous structure, offering students a more flexible and comprehensive multidisciplinary course of study. Now, instead of three years of the UG programme, students will now need to complete four years to earn a “Honours” degree. Students will get a UG degree in three years if they complete 120 credits, and a UG Honours degree in four years if they complete 160 credits.
Over 2 crore Students Enrol in the Academic Bank of Credit
The UGC announced various guidelines on multidisciplinary learning this year, which was among the highlights of the NEP 2020. These guidelines addressed the availability of online degree courses, credit transfer via registration in the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), and a variety of other topics. The ABC is a digital archive of every student’s credit history that makes it easier for students to transfer from one college or university. By October 2023, nearly 2 crore students throughout the country had already registered for the Academic Bank of Credit.
DU Faces Challenges and Student Apprehensions During NEP Implementation
While the NEP’s aims are constructive, execution on the ground level has been difficult, as witnessed at Delhi University. DU is the only institution in the country that has fully implemented the NEP 2020 model, however, the changeover sparked worries among students regarding the policy’s smooth implementation. This underscores the significance of meticulous planning and communications to guarantee a seamless shift without sacrificing the calibre of education.
Kerala’s decision to break away from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) curriculum was another notable development in 2023. With states having the autonomy to create their curricula and textbooks, the Kerala Education Department released additional textbooks for grades 11 and 12 in September which includes portions previously removed by the NCERT as part of its curriculum rationalisation. Similarly, the Kerala State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is establishing a whole new curriculum for education that does not entirely align with the NEP.
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