On July 29, 2020, the National Policy Education, which was framed in 1986, was replaced under Narendra Modi-led central government. Ever since the news of replacement, the parents and students are trying to apprehend the new policy’s changes and impact. Replacing the whole education system with a new one will bring many changes. Educators also suggest that this policy is futuristic and ambitious.

Since the curriculum institutes the foundation of a child’s future, each policy change will impact your child’s future. Therefore, it is essential for you to know and understand the changes to guide your child better and be ready for whatever is to come.

National Education Policy is a comprehensive structure to direct the development of education in the country. The Government of India promulgated the first NPE by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1968, the second by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, and the third by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020. A panel headed by ISRO chief K Kasturirangan had submitted a draft in December 2018, which was open for public discussion and feedback.

The new policy will change the curriculum and how exams are conducted, and how the final assessment is provided. There will be flexibility in choosing subjects in schools and colleges. The new curriculum will be so much different from how the Central Board of Secondary Education functions. It will not just be bookish knowledge anymore but more holistic and skill-based learning, stepping up to a more international curriculum option. The education system aims to become multidisciplinary and focus more on research.

The structure of schooling will no longer be the same. From the 10+2 form, the policy aims for a 5+3+3+4 design paralleling to the age groups of 3-8 years (foundational stage), 8-11 (preparatory), 11-14 (middle), and 14-18 (secondary). Introducing three years of pre-schooling, the national education policy 2020 has taken a similar approach to Cambridge and IB. This brings the early childhood education of ages 3 to 5 under the umbrella of formal schooling.

The education will no longer be memory-based assessments of the student like it used to in CBSE but will be more competency-based, assessing analysis skills, critical thinking, and conceptual clarity taking after the IB curriculum. Exams will not be held every year for the students but only in grades 3, 5, and 8. Board exams for classes 10 and 12 will continue but with an aim for more holistic development. The main agenda is to instill a sense of responsibility and self-evaluation among students at a tender age. So the child will not be assessed based only on their academic performance but on other factors that focus on overall personality development.

The new curriculum aims to be more skill-based and a holistic learning experience. Top companies no longer give utmost importance to marks and scores. They look at how skillful the candidate is. It is an excellent opportunity for students to experience more of a skill learning education. The new policy encourages more critical thinking and reduction of the syllabus to enhance essential learning. It gives the students the flexibility to choose subjects to study across streams of Arts, Science, Humanities, sports, and Vocational subjects. Vocational education will start in school from the 6th grade and will include internships. This means more focus on projects, better real-life training, more interactions, and better skills.

The new policy is also introducing a multilingualism-based shift. This is a highly debated topic as to whether it’s a good or not unnecessary shift. The policy champion for local language/mother-tongue/regional language as the medium of instruction in school at least till grade 5. Sanskrit will now be offered at all schools and higher education levels as an option for students. They have included the 3-language formula. Other classical languages and literature of India will also be available as options. However, rest assured that no language will be imposed on any student, as the policy suggests. The significant development and advantage that needs to be embraced is the increase in foreign languages offered at the secondary level. Learning a foreign language is always beneficial for children, especially if they are interested in studying abroad. The students no longer have to change their board from CBSE to international to learn a new language and get opportunities abroad.

We live in a tech-driven era. Almost every decision and choice we make is influenced by technology. The policy states that an autonomous body called the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) will be initiated to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on using technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, and administration. Appropriate technology integration into all education levels will be done to improve classroom processes and support teacher professional development.

Many foreign colleges and universities are expected to be set-up in the country shortly. Although it may take some time, a couple of significant reasons for choosing international schools to CBSE includes a lack of skill-based education, which gives international curriculum students an advantage. Apart from this, exposure to flexibility in subjects and balance between academics and extracurricular activities plays a vital role in this difference.

Under the new National Education Policy, undergraduate degrees will be either a three year or a four-year duration with multiple exit options within this period. The college will be instructed to give a certificate after completing one year in any field or discipline, including vocational and professional areas, a diploma after two years of study, or a Bachelor’s degree after a 3-year program.

Be it in skill-based learning, better assessment procedure, flexibility, or choice of subjects/streams; the board has finally stepped up in its standards. This leaves you with an equal, if a not better option, among other curricula.

The National Education Policy 2020 has put forward sweeping changes in the Indian education system, which were much needed and anticipated. Many top schools and colleges have been looking towards international boards for a global-level education and learning. This decision by the government will perhaps encourage parents to consider the national curriculum.