Initiatives Under National Education Policy 2020

• 10 Aug 2023

For Prelims: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, PARAKH, PM-SHRI , National Credit Framework , NIPUN Bharat Mission, Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration.

For Mains: Salient Features of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

Source: PIB

Why in News?

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.

What is NEP 2020?

• About:
  • The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”. It is only the 3rd major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence.
    • The two earlier education policies were brought in 1968 and 1986.
• Salient Features:
  • Ensuring Universal Access at All Levels of schooling from pre-primary school to Grade 12.
  • Ensuring quality early childhood care and education for all children between 3-6 years.
  • New Curricular and Pedagogical Structure (5+3+3+4) corresponds to the age groups of 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.
    • It covers four stages of schooling: Foundational Stage (5 years), Preparatory Stage (3 years), Middle Stage (3 years), and Secondary Stage (4 years).
  • No hard separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams;
  • Emphasis on promoting multilingualism and Indian languages
  • Setting up of a new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development)
  • A separate Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups

What are the Major Initiatives Taken Under NEP 2020?

• PM Schools for Rising India (SHRI): PM-SHRI scheme aims to provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive, and joyful school environment.
  • It is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in September 2022 for upgradation and development of more than 14500 Schools across the country.
  • Rs. 630 crore has been allocated to upgrade schools under the PM SHRI initiative.
• NIPUN Bharat: The vision of National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy(NIPUN) Bharat Mission is to create an enabling environment to ensure the universal acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy, so that every child achieves the desired learning competencies in reading, writing, and numeracy by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27.
• PM e-VIDYA: The initiative aimed to promote online education and digital learning by providing various e-learning platforms like DIKSHA and offering e-books and e-contents to students across the country.
• NCF FS and Jadui Pitara: Launch of National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF FS) and Jadui Pitara for play-based learning teaching material tailored for children between the age group of 3 to 8 years
• NISHTHA: The National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) is a capacity-building program for teachers and school principals in India.
• NDEAR: National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), an architectural blueprint, that lays down a set of guiding principles and building blocks to enable the creation of digital technology-based applications pertaining to education.
• Academic Frameworks: Introduction of National Credit Framework (NCrF) and National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) to facilitate credit transfer and academic flexibility.
• Increased Investment in Education: The policy advocates for both the Central government and State Governments to allocate a combined 6% of GDP to education.
  • In alignment with this vision, the Ministry of Education has witnessed a budget of Rs. 1,12,899 crore in 2023-24, indicating a 13.68% increment from 2020-21.
• International Campuses and Partnerships: NEP 2020 supports Indian universities in establishing campuses abroad and inviting foreign institutions to operate in India.
  • Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed for the establishment of IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi, reflecting India's global educational outreach.
• Educational Innovation in GIFT City:
  • NEP 2020's innovative approach extends to Gujarat's GIFT City, where world-class foreign universities and institutions are permitted to offer specialized courses.
    • This move, free from domestic regulations, aims to nurture high-end human resources for financial services and technology.

What are the Other Related Initiatives?

• World-Class Institutions Scheme: The World Class Institutions Scheme, initiated in 2017, aims to create affordable, top-notch academic and research facilities.
  • The scheme designates "Institutions of Eminence" (IoEs) to promote academic excellence.
  • To date, 12 institutions, including eight public and four private ones, have been identified as IoEs, a testament to India's commitment to providing world-class education.
• Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) and SPARC: GIAN focuses on tapping the expertise of scientists and entrepreneurs, including those of Indian origin, to bolster India's academic resources.
  • The Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) enhances research ecosystems by fostering collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions.
  • These initiatives contribute to elevating research quality and promoting knowledge exchange.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution does India have a bearing on Education? (2012)

1. Directive Principles of State Policy
2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies
3. Fifth Schedule
4. Sixth Schedule
5. Seventh Schedule

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3, 4 and 5 only 
(c) 1, 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Ans- (d)

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Mains

Q1. How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate on your answer. (2020)

Q2. Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (2021)