The 10+2 system to be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 structure equivalent to 3-8 years foundation stage [8-11 years preparatory stage, 11-14 years middle stage, lastly, 14-18 years secondary stage]. It will unveil the age group of 3-6 years under the school curriculum, considered as the critical stage for the development of the mental aptitude of a child. In addition to 12 years of schooling, it will have three years of pre-schooling as well. Board examinations to be made more comfortable to test fundamental concepts rather than bear in mind facts, with all students allowed to take the exam twice.
We see prominence on foundational literacy and proficiency, no set separation between scholastic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in school. Vocational Education will start from 6th grade with Internships while giving students a chance to learn mother tongue/regional language till 5th grade without enforcing any language. Evaluation reforms with 360-degree Holistic Progress Card, tracking Student Progress for achieving Learning Outcomes.
Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education will rise to 50% by 2035. Moreover, 3.5 crore seats will be added in higher education. The current Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is 26.3%. Comprehensive Undergraduate education with a flexible curriculum can be of 3 or 4 years with numerous exit options and appropriate certification within this period. Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), at par with IITs, IIMs, will set up as a representation of best interdisciplinary education of global standards in the country. The government will set up The National Research Foundation as a pinnacle body for nurturing a dominant research culture and building research competence across higher education.
Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will serve as a single body for the entire higher education, excluding medical and law school. For public and private higher education institutions, the set of norms for regulation, accreditation, and academic standards will be the same. Also, HECI will have four independent verticals, namely:
● National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) [for management]
● General Education Council (GEC) [for standard setting]
● Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) [for funding]
● National Accreditation Council (NAC) [for accreditation]
In 15 years, a stage-wise mechanism will be established for granting graded autonomy to colleges, eliminating the affiliation of colleges. Every college has to develop into either an autonomous degree-granting college or a constituent college of a university over time.
Cons of New Education Policy
The private schools will not take a step back in introducing English from the early stages. Suppose a student only begins to learn English 7 years later to that of students in private schools. In that case, the difference will only add to those of learning a language in an environment that is not conducive to speaking, writing and reading English.
Under the new system, one has to study for four years to complete their graduation. However, the question arises as to why the student will continue with the program if he/she can get the diploma in two years? If he/she left the program mid-way after two years, then he/she could easily have two years of experience of work, which will be valuable in the long run.
If they do not provide scholarships, it will drastically affect the education of girls. The second disadvantage is the five-member committee formed by the Union ministry for human resources and development, which will frame the policy since the committee consisting of bureaucrats, and there is just only one educationalist. The committee should also have the representatives from all the states, as the educational scenarios in India are different in each state.
Effect of merging the streams Science, Arts and Commerce
In India, students belong to majorly three streams that are Science, Commerce, and Arts (humanities). This specialization thus intends to prepare teenagers better for future work (or future studies) by allowing them to pick the area that interests them.
Under the new education policy, however, it seems that these streams will get reorganized into one curriculum. “There will be no rigid separations between arts and sciences,” the new plan for Indian education declares. Yet, the students are to enjoy “increased flexibility and choice of subjects,” meaning that they would now choose not between curricula, but between set subjects within one curriculum.
While unveiling the plan, doubts persist. The idea to merge the streams still appears to be wise, as it may be an attempt to strike a balance between mandatory and selected subjects within one curriculum.
Is introducing coding right from 6th-grade beneficial new education policy:
Here are some of the benefits that students will have by learning to code from Class 6.
- They will be ready for a future that relies heavily on digital tools for all of its tasks.
- Even if a student does not choose coding as their primary career, having its knowledge can still benefit them in any of their chosen industry.
- Coding helps develop an analytical mindset, problem-solving attitude, and creativity in children. It has a good effect on developing brains.
- Teaching coding from Class 6 will help India develop better engineers who will bring in new ideas and solutions that we have not even heard.
- Students with knowledge of coding will find it easier to be familiar with new technologies and hence will be able to ensure their employability in a fast-paced world better.
People have pointed out that introducing coding at a very early age, such as class 6 must be done carefully, as it can have several disadvantages. Concerns regarding the time kids spend with technology nowadays are rising. Educators and parents will have to work together to ensure that this does not have an impact on the time children spend interacting, playing, and bonding with friends and family in the real world.
Utkarshini Journal 