'Every day the clock resets. Your wins don't matter. Your failures don't matter. Don't stress on what was, fight for what could be.' -Sean Higgins

The National Education Policy (NEP) is set to replace the old NEP launched in 1986. And in the existing education system and its gaps, it was essential to reset the clock and have the new policy with educational reforms get rolling. This change has come after 34 years of the old education system.

The Key Changes and its Implications

Education for All. The #NewIndiaLiteracyProgram (NILP) aims at providing education for all, covering all aspects of education for non-literates aged 15 years and above.

Creating 5 Pillars of Education. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) is a comprehensive framework that aims to transform the education system in India. The new NEP is based on five pillars of education which are Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability. These pillars are critical to ensuring a robust and inclusive education system that fulfils the needs of all learners.

New 5+3+3+4 Structure. The first and foremost shift is replacing the old 10+2 structure with the new 5+3+3+4 structure. The new education system comprises 12 years of schooling and 3 years of Anganwadi/ pre-school learning. The new pedagogy under Universalisation of Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE) will witness the following structure. Supposedly, it should have a huge impact on how education will empower the youth towards economic growth and social reform.

Improving Quality of Education. By improving the quality of education, by promoting research and innovation, and offering easy access to education for all, it will promote us to make India a global knowledge superpower. This may also help in increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035, up from around 26% in 2019.

Integration of Technology. NEP 2020 encourages the integration of technology in education with special emphasis on the use of online learning and digital resources. This should enhance the learning experience for learners and provide access to a much wider range of educational materials across all geographic territories.

Teachers’ Training. NEP recognizes the importance of teachers’ training and development towards improving the quality of education. The policy lays emphasis on empowering teachers with ongoing training and professional development opportunities. Thus, the teachers will be more equipped with the latest updates and have up-to-date knowledge and skills. This will flow to children and make them more competent for their careers.

Assessment Framework. NEP 2020 aims to introduce a new assessment framework that focuses on measuring the overall development and learning outcomes of students, rather than focusing on just academic achievements. This is expected to make education more comprehensive and inclusive in its approach.

The National Education Policy 2020 is expected to have a significant impact on the future of education in India by adopting a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to education. The policy is seen to be emphasizing on the importance of early childhood education, multidisciplinary education, technology integration, vocational education, a new assessment framework, teacher training, and research and innovation. It is anticipated that the successful implementation of proposed initiatives will lead to significant improvements in the quality of education in India and enhance employability considerably, making them ready for a brighter tomorrow.

The NEP 2020 represents a shift in the way education is approached in India, with a greater emphasis on flexibility, critical thinking, and skills development. Hopefully, these changes will help prepare the next generation of Indians for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, in line with the predictions of the World Economic Forum’s ‘The Future of Jobs Report 2020’.