Page 40 - EW November 2023

ANNIVERSARY ESSAY

NEP 2020 & NCF

convergence necessity

DR. KASTURIRANGAN

E ARE IN THE MIDST OF A HISTORIC NEP 2020 provides a clear roadmap for
period in Indian education. It is after 34 years
that a new National Education Policy (NEP) the transformation and reinvigoration
W2020 has been formulated. In these years of education in India, so that by 2040,
we have made some progress — without doubt. However,
equity in and quality of education still remain a massive India will have one of the best education
challenge. While we have established some world-class systems worldwide
institutions, we still struggle to create similarly effective
learning opportunities and environments for all our
students. The Policy envisages some critical changes from the
In these 34 years, the social, political, and economic current system: (a) New school structure in four stages
environment in India and the world has also changed — 5+3+3+4 (from the current 10+2) — aligned to the
significantly. The economy has opened up, social cognitive and socio-emotional development of children
structures have changed, there is increased participation based on neuroscience research. (b) Integrative and holistic
of all groups in political, social and economic processes curriculum with equal emphasis on science, social sciences,
and communication has grown exponentially. New global visual and performing arts, languages, sports, mathematics.
challenges such as climate change have emerged, while (c) No hard separation or hierarchy of subjects; integration
rapid changes in technology present both opportunities of vocational and academic streams; and (d) Emphasis on
and challenges to human well-being. key concepts, experiential learning, analysis and reflection,
At the same time there has been significant research and values, and life skills.
development in the fields of neurosciences, brain studies, Hon’ble Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan
and cognitive sciences. This has significant implications for is leading a truly rigorous and inclusive effort for
school education. Therefore NEP 2020 is a transformative comprehensive implementation of NEP 2020 in school
response to address all these matters, and prepare Indian education and higher education.
youth and India for the 21st century. The first critical step in the implementation of NEP
NEP 2020 is also unique in terms of the extent and 2020 for school education is the development of the
comprehensiveness of consultations involving stakeholders National Curriculum Frameworks (NCFs) for school
from the grassroots level upwards. These extensive education, teacher education and adult education. Under
consultations and their systematic incorporation have the leadership of Shri Pradhan, the ministry of education
ensured that the federal nature of our Constitution is and NCERT have already laid the foundations through
reflected in NEP 2020. initiating the necessary fundamental groundwork.
On June 24, 2017, the Committee for the Draft National The ministry has constituted a National Steering
Education Policy was constituted involving many of us. Committee to guide the process of development of the
The new committee incorporated inputs from the previous NCFs, on one side to ensure the integrative and holistic
consultations as well as the report of the Subramanian nature of curriculum as envisaged by NEP and on the other
Committee (2016), while also extending consultations to to ensure seamless working with the ministry and NCERT.
seek inputs from 74 ministries and various bodies and 217 To this end, the National Steering Committee assisted by
eminent persons, in addition to incorporating cutting edge the Mandate Group has developed a mandate document to
research in education. detail the NCF development process, output, timelines and
On May 31, 2019 the 484-page Draft National Education anchoring to NEP 2020, and to provide detailed guidelines
Policy (DNEP) was released. In continuation with the for all stakeholders involved in the process.
participative process, comments on DNEP 2019 were Under NEP 2020, there will be four curricular
invited from all stakeholders. Overall, nearly 1.5 lakh frameworks: for ECCE, school education, teacher
suggestions and comments were received. These inputs education, and adult education. The ECCE and School
were used to further fine tune DNEP 2019. Education frameworks will be seamless and integrated, as
With DNEP 2019 as the basis, development of the final they must be to bring to life the vision of the NEP for the
policy was carried out and the National Education Policy Foundational Stage in the 5+3+3+4 system. The teacher
2020 was released to the nation on July 29, 2020. NEP education framework will be deeply informed by the ECCE
2020, anchored in and based on the 484-page DNEP 2019, and School Education frameworks. The Mandate Document
provides a clear roadmap and action-dimensions for the guides the process of development, anchors the whole effort
transformation and reinvigoration of education in India, clearly in NEP 2020, and lays out the vision for the NCF.
so that by 2040, India will have one of the best education My request to all of you would be to read the Mandate
systems worldwide. Document, because it is the bridge between the NEP and

40 EDUCATIONWORLD NOVEMBER 2023