NEP 2020 and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

• 24 Feb 2025

For Prelims: Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, National Education Policy (NEP 2020), PM SHRI, Right to Education Act, 2009, PARAKH, NISHTHA, PM e-VIDYA, DIKSHA, Vidya Samiksha Kendra, SDG, Centrally Sponsored Scheme. 

For Mains: Key features of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and federal issues arising from their implementation. 

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The Union Government has withheld Tamil Nadu’s central share of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan funds for opposing the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). 

Why Tamil Nadu Opposes NEP 2020? 

• Language Policy Dispute: NEP 2020 mandates a three-language policy (Tamil, English, and a regional language), which Tamil Nadu views as an imposition of the center's policy. 
  • Tamil Nadu follows a two-language formula (Tamil and English) since 1968. 
• Undermining State Autonomy: Tamil Nadu sees the Centre’s push for uniform NEP implementation as an infringement on its autonomy, weakening cooperative federalism. 
  • Education is on the Concurrent List, requiring flexibility and state-level adaptability. 
  • Tamil Nadu is drafting its own State Education Policy to suit its socio-linguistic and economic context. 
• Call for a Pragmatic Approach: Tamil Nadu argues that central schemes like Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI should be delinked from NEP 2020. 
  • Funding should be based on performance indicators rather than policy compliance. 

What is the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020? 

• About: NEP 2020 replaced the 34-year-old NEP of 1986 and aimed to bridge gaps in quality, equity, and access to education at all levels. 
  • Based on the recommendations of Dr K Kasturirangan committee, it prioritizes foundational literacy, a holistic curriculum, multilingual learning, and integration of vocational and academic pathways. 
• Key Provisions: 
  • Structural Reforms: NEP 2020 replaced the 10+2 system with a 5+3+3+4 structure, aligning education with the developmental needs of children aged 3 to 18 years. 

Stage	Duration	Ages (Grades Covered)	Key Features
Foundational Stage	5 years	Ages 3-8 (Preschool & Grades 1-2)	Play-based learning
Preparatory Stage	3 years	Grades 3-5	Introduction of formal learning methodologies
Middle Stage	3 years	Grades 6-8	Experiential and multidisciplinary learning
Secondary Stage	4 years	Grades 9-12	Flexibility in subject choices

• Experiential Learning: NEP 2020 emphasizes experiential learning through internships, field visits, and real-world projects to bridge theory and practice. 
  • NEP promotes technology integration through digital literacy, online platforms, and tech-enabled classrooms to enhance learning. 
• Teacher Training: NEP 2020 emphasizes continuous professional development to equip teachers for evolving educational needs. 
• Key Initiatives: 
  • PM SHRI scheme: It aims to develop 14,500 ideal schools to serve as role models. 
  • NIPUN Bharat Mission: It was launched to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 2. 
  • PARAKH: PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) have been introduced to monitor learning outcomes. 
  • NISHTHA: NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement) teacher training program launched to equip educators with skills aligned with NEP’s transformative goals. 
• Major Achievements:  
  • Foundational Stage Curriculum: The National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) introduced the Jadui Pitara kit to promote play-based learning for children aged 3-8. 
  • Regional Language Inclusion: AICTE-approved engineering and medical courses are now available in regional languages, with JEE and NEET conducted in 13 languages for better accessibility. 
  • Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP): Over 105 universities have adopted the FYUP, offering multiple exit options and greater flexibility in higher education. 
  • Global IITs: IIT-Madras opened a campus in Zanzibar (Tanzania) and IIT-Delhi is planning a campus in Abu Dhabi (UAE).  
  • Digital Learning: PM e-VIDYA and DIKSHA platforms promote digital learning for universal access, while Vidya Samiksha Kendra provides real-time data on educational progress. 
• Challenges: 
  • Integration of the 5+3+3+4 Structure: Aligning state curricula and training teachers for new methods remains a challenge, with foundational textbooks for some grades only recently prepared. 
  • Pending Legislation: NEP 2020 proposes merging UGC, AICTE, and NCTE into a single higher education regulator, but the legislative framework is still pending. 
  • Lack of Uniform Monitoring: Although evaluation efforts are ongoing, there are no standardized assessment metrics across states to measure NEP's impact effectively.  

What is Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan? 

• About: Introduced in the Union Budget 2018-19, Samagra Shiksha is a comprehensive program covering education from pre-nursery to Class 12 to ensure equitable learning outcomes. 
• Key Features: 
  • Integration of Schemes: It subsumes three earlier schemes: 
  • Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Focused on universal primary education. 
  • Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Aimed at secondary education. 
  • Teacher Education (TE): Focused on training teachers. 
  • Sector-Wide Development Approach: It streamlines implementation across all levels (state, district, and sub-district) instead of fragmented project-based objectives. 
  • Alignment with SDGs: Ensures free, equitable, and quality education (SDG 4.1) while eliminating gender disparities and ensuring access for vulnerable groups (SDG 4.5). 
• Implementation: It is a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) implemented through a single State Implementation Society (SIS) at the State/UT level. 
  • SIS is a state-registered body implementing CSS and development programs. 

Click Here to Read:  

• How CSS Pose Challenge to Fiscal Federalism?  
• What are the Challenges in Competitive and Cooperative Federalism in India? 

Conclusion 

The withholding of Samagra Shiksha funds highlights the tension between the Centre and Tamil Nadu over NEP 2020, reflecting broader issues of federalism, linguistic autonomy, and education policy implementation. Ensuring educational progress requires a collaborative approach that respects state-specific needs while maintaining national development goals.

Drishti Mains Question: 

What are the key features of National Education Policy (NEP 2020). Critically analyze the impact of NEP 2020 on federalism.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Mains 

Q. National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (2020)