About Initiatives Under NEP 2020

Context:

Recently, the Minister of State for Education provided valuable insights into the initiatives taken up under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for the transformation of Education Sector in India during a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Relevance:

GS II: Education

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Initiatives under NEP 2020
2. Key Initiatives under NEP 2020

National Education Policy 2020

Introduction and Historical Context:

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions India as a global knowledge hub, marking the third major education policy overhaul since independence.
• The earlier policies were introduced in 1968 and 1986, setting the stage for this comprehensive transformation.

Salient Features of NEP 2020:

• Universal Access: Ensuring access to education at all levels, from pre-primary to Grade 12.
• Early Childhood Care: Focusing on quality early childhood care and education for children aged 3-6.
• Curricular Structure: Adopting a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure that aligns with age groups.
• Four Schooling Stages: Dividing education into Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary stages.
• Integrated Learning: Breaking barriers between arts and sciences, curricular and extra-curricular activities, and vocational and academic streams.
• Multilingualism: Emphasizing multilingualism and promoting Indian languages.
• Performance Assessment: Introducing PARAKH, the National Assessment Centre for holistic development evaluation.
• Gender Inclusion and Special Education: Establishing a Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones.

Key Initiatives under NEP 2020

PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI):

• Objective: Provide high-quality, equitable, and inclusive education in a joyful school environment.
• Launch: September 2022.
• Scope: Upgrading over 14,500 schools across India.
• Allocation: Rs. 630 crore for school enhancement.

NIPUN Bharat:

• Vision: Achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3 (2026-27).
• Focus: Develop enabling environment for essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills.

PM e-VIDYA:

• Aim: Promote online education and digital learning.
• Platforms: Utilizes DIKSHA and provides e-books and e-content nationwide.

NCF FS and Jadui Pitara:

• Launch: National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage and Jadui Pitara for play-based learning.
• Audience: Tailored teaching materials for children aged 3 to 8.

NISHTHA:

• Focus: Capacity-building program for teachers and school principals.
• Enhancement: Aims to foster holistic advancement in school heads and teachers.

NDEAR:

• Blueprint: National Digital Education Architecture for technology-based education applications.
• Guiding Principles: Lays foundations for digital technology integration in education.

Academic Frameworks:

• NcrF: National Credit Framework for enhanced credit transfer.
• NHEQF: National Higher Education Qualification Framework for academic flexibility.

Increased Investment in Education:

• Advocacy: Recommends 6% of combined GDP allocation by Central and State Governments.
• Budget Allocation: Ministry of Education budget increased to Rs. 1,12,899 crore in 2023-24, a 13.68% rise from 2020-21.

International Campuses and Partnerships:

• Support: NEP 2020 encourages Indian universities to establish campuses abroad and invites foreign institutions to operate in India.
• MoUs: Agreements signed for IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, fostering global educational connections.

Educational Innovation in GIFT City:

• GIFT City Hub: Foreign universities authorized to offer specialized courses in Gujarat’s GIFT City.
• Objective: Cultivate high-end human resources for financial services and technology sectors.