A country changes its legislation according to the needs of the people. Accordingly, India has introduced NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 to replace the old education laws.
If you read the entire report[i], you’ll notice that there are many new developments. Some of which we have already discussed before. Out of all the new policies, in this article, we will discuss only the most major changes in the legislation and their effects on the education system in India.
So without further ado, here are the top three most significant policy changes
1. Division of Formal School Years
The 1986 policy advocated for a 10+2 system of schooling where formal education began in the 1st grade. However, according to the new education legislation, the school system will shift to the 5+3+3+4 system[ii].
The major change here is the addition of 3 preschool/ kindergarten years (ages 3-6) in the formal education system. This legislative amendment is done for easier integration of students from preschool or the foundational stage to higher grades (grade 3+).
2. Discontinuing M.Phil Program
The M.Phil program is now dissolved under the new educational policy in India. This has caused a major shift in the structure of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
A 4th year is now mandatory in the bachelor degree programs. That is done to include a research component in undergraduate studies. Because of this, Masters degrees will be one-year programs, just like in the UK’s Cambridge and Oxford universities[iii].
Now, graduates with a 4-year bachelors’ degree can directly pursue a PhD program, instead of applying for an M.Phil. degree first[iv].
3. Board exams
Up until 2020, board exams for grades 10 and 12 were conducted once a year. And the students who wished to retake some subjects to improve their grades had to wait for the next academic session to give the exams.
That has changed under NEP-2020. Now, CBSE board exams will be held twice a year so students who want higher grades will have a second chance sooner, only a few months after the result declaration[v].
This has a major impact on the education system as it decreases the number of students repeating a grade or taking a gap year. It also makes exams low-stake and helps the mental health of the students who are stressed about these competitive exams.
Conclusion
The legislation is enacted to maintain a standard of education across all schools. From anti-bullying laws to policies about the length of post-graduate programs, everything is guided by policies.
Governments globally are promoting the use of technology and different approaches to managing education systems. India too is about to considerably improve its education system thanks to the new policies.
The major changes discussed above will restructure the education system, from the kindergarten level to the PhD programs. It should be interesting to follow the progress of NEP-2020 and witness the new changes it will bring!
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[i] https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf#page=14
[ii] https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/from-10-2-to-5-3-3-4-what-does-nep-s-big-shift-in-school-education-mean-1713346-2020-08-20
[iii] https://academia.stackexchange.com/questions/72341/what-is-the-logic-behind-definition-of-1-year-master-programs-in-uk
[iv] https://www.collegedekho.com/news/new-education-policy-mphil-discontinuation-17892/
[v] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/you-can-improve-board-results-the-same-yr-now/articleshow/81640204.cms