West Bengal

• 07 Mar 2025

Implementation of NEP in West Bengal

Why in News? 

A Supreme Court lawyer petitioned the top court to direct the Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal governments to implement the National Education Policy (NEP).  

• The plea comes amid a heated debate led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who has accused the Centre of imposing Hindi on the State. 

 Key Points 

• Argument for NEP Implementation: 
  • The plea urged Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Centre to implement the NEP. 
  • It was argued that these States must act to protect children’s fundamental right to education. 
• Clarification on Hindi in NEP: 
  • The NEP mentions ‘Hindi’ only once and does not mandate its imposition. 
  • The policy does not compel State governments to teach Hindi to children. 
• Constitutional and Legal Considerations: 
  • The plea argued that both the Centre and the States have a stake in education, as it falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution. 
  • The petition acknowledged that the Supreme Court cannot directly compel a State to adopt a policy or sign an MoU. 
    • However, the court can intervene if the matter affects fundamental rights. 

 National Education Policy 2020 

• About: 
  • The National Education Policy 2020 seeks to tackle the evolving development needs of India. 
    • It calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system, including its regulations and management, to establish a modern system that aligns with 21st-century educational goals, including Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), while respecting India's cultural heritage and values. 
  • It replaces the thirty-four year old National Policy on Education, 1986, modified in 1992 (NPE 1986/92). 
• Salient Features: 
  • Universal Access: NEP 2020 focuses on universal access to school education, including pre-school to secondary levels. 
  • Early Childhood Education: The 10+2 structure will shift to a 5+3+3+4 system, bringing 3-6-year-olds under school curriculum, with a focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). 
  • Multilingualism: Mother tongue or regional language will be the medium of instruction till Grade 5, with options for Sanskrit and other languages. 
    • Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized. 
  • Inclusive Education: Special emphasis on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs), support for children with disabilities, and establishment of "Bal Bhavans." 
  • Elimination of Barriers: The policy promotes a seamless education system with no rigid distinctions between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, and vocational and academic streams. 
  • GER Enhancement: Aim to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio from 26.3% to 50% by 2035, adding 3.5 crore new seats. 
  • Research Focus: Creation of National Research Foundation to boost research culture and capacity. 
  • Language Preservation: Support for Indian languages, including an Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI) and strengthening language departments. 
  • Internationalization: Facilitation of international collaborations and entry of top-ranked foreign universities. 
  • Funding: Joint efforts to increase public investment in education to 6% of GDP. 
  • PARAKH Assessment Center: The establishment of PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) as a national assessment center signifies a significant step towards competency-based and holistic assessment in education. 
  • Gender Inclusion Fund: The policy introduces a Gender Inclusion Fund, emphasizing the importance of gender equality in education and supporting initiatives to empower disadvantaged groups. 
  • Special Education Zones: Special Education Zones are envisioned to address the specific needs of disadvantaged regions and groups, furthering the policy's commitment to equitable access to quality education for all.