New Education Policy Highlights

New Curricular and Pedagogical Structure: 

The NEP proposes changing the existing 10+2 Curricular and Pedagogical Structure with 

Five years of the Foundational Stage: 3 years of pre-primary school and Grades 1, 2;

Three years of the Preparatory (or Latter Primary) Stage: Grades 3, 4, 5;

Three years of the Middle (or Upper Primary) Stage: Grades 6, 7, 8; 

Four years of the High (or Secondary) Stage: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.

HRD Ministry to be renamed as education ministry

No hard separation of arts and sciences:

The new education policy aims to give students increased flexibility and choice of subjects to study across the arts, humanities, sciences, sports, and vocational subjects. Departments in Languages, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Indology, Art, Dance, Theatre, Education, Mathematics, Statistics, Pure and Applied Sciences, Sociology, Economics, Sports, Translation and Interpretation, etc. will be established and strengthened at all higher education institutions (HEIs).

Education in local language:

Since children learn languages most quickly between 2-8 years, and multilingualism has great cognitive benefits for students, children will be immersed in three languages early on, from the Foundational Stage. The three-language formula, followed since the adoption of the National Policy on Education 1968, and endorsed in the National Policy on Education 1986/1992 as well as the NCF 2005, will be continued, keeping in mind the Constitutional provisions and aspirations of the people, regions, and the Union.

More focus on vocational studies in school- level

Every child to learn at least one vocation and exposed to several more. Sampling of important vocational crafts, such as carpentry, electric work, metal work, gardening, pottery making, etc., as decided by States and local communities during Grades 6-8.

By 2025, at least 50% of learners through the school and higher education system shall have exposure to vocational education. 

A 10-day bagless period sometime during Grades 6-8 to intern with local vocational experts such as carpenters, gardeners, potters, artists, etc.

Similar internship opportunities to learn vocational subjects to students throughout Grades 6-12, including holiday periods.

Vocational courses through online mode will also be made available.

 Importance of board exam to be reduced, exam can be conducted twice a year

In order to reduce the importance and stress of board exam, exam will be conducted in two parts: Objective and descriptive. Exam can be conducted twice a year. Board exam should promote knowledge application rather than rote learning, she added.

Coding to be taught from class 6 onwards

Students of class 6 and onwards will be taught coding in schools as a part of 21st century skills, school education secretary said.

NCC wings in secondary and higher secondary schools under Ministry of Defence

Under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence, State Governments may encourage opening NCC wings in their secondary and higher secondary schools, including those located in tribal dominated areas