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the NCFs. The first critical step in the
States have an important role in the development of NCFs.
The NCF will draw heavily from all the 25 Position Papers implementation of NEP 2020 for school
developed by each state, the district level consultations and education is the development of the
mobile app surveys that have happened and are happening
across the country. District level consultations and the National Curriculum Frameworks (NCFs)
survey have included teachers, parents, teacher educators, for school, teacher and adult education
community members, experts, students (school and
higher education), anganwadi workers, school principals,
neo literates, etc. 25 National-level Focus Groups are Resource Centres (BRCs) and Cluster Resource Centres
also providing inputs into the NCF development process. (CRCs) must be significantly strengthened. Currently, most
Both State and National Focus Groups have conducted of them struggle with inadequate infrastructure, learning
widespread consultations. These consultations will continue resources and faculty. States must focus on building these
as the NCF development process moves ahead. into high quality institutions so that teachers and schools
The NCFs will reflect the key transformations proposed are well supported to make the kind of transitions that NEP
by NEP 2020 and become the basis for teaching and 2020 envisages.
learning in our schools. NEP 2020 describes a good education institution as one
(a) Once the draft NCF is developed, it will go back to the in which every student feels welcomed and cared for, where
states for review. The NCF will be finalised after feedback a safe and stimulating learning environment exists, where a
is received from all states. wide range of learning experiences are offered, and where
(b) Based on the NCF, each state will develop its own good physical infrastructure and appropriate resources
State Curricular Framework (SCF). The SCF will be the conducive to learning are available to all students. The
basis for the syllabus, textbooks and learning material fundamental principle that guides good education is that
in schools along with the approach to in-service teacher all children are capable of learning. NEP 2020 sees equity
education in the State. and inclusion as a cornerstone of our education system.
(c) All this will together drive improvement in classroom Children with disability must be particularly addressed
teaching and student learning outcomes. in this regard. States must ensure that every Block Resource
EP 2020 says the purpose of the education system is to Centre has inclusive education specialists, in-service
Ndevelop good human beings capable of rational thought teacher education must include modules on understanding
and action, possessing compassion and empathy, courage this area and learning to respond to it. Early identification
and resilience, scientific temper and creative imagination, of disability is critical. Again, the Education and Women
with sound ethical moorings and values and a rootedness and Child Welfare ministries in every State must work
in India. together on ensuring that this is done in all anganwadis,
Two critical areas of focus in NEP 2020 are strong early childhood care centres and early grades in school.
emphasis on high quality early childhood care and education Another critical part of the NEP 2020 which will be
for all children and the achievement of foundational literacy reflected in the NCF is the importance of the mother tongue.
and numeracy by all children by Grade 3. Research from across the world tells us that children learn
(a) The Foundational Stage of the 5+3+3+4 design best in their language of comfort. Research also tells us that
comprises five years between the ages of 3-8 years which children are capable of learning more than one language
includes time spent by the child in anganwadis and schools. and that multilingualism is important for cognitive
(b) While different departments may handle different development. It is critical to learn languages well. This is the
parts of the Foundational Stage, States must ensure that route to learning other subjects well. NEP 2020 emphasises
the Department of Women and Child Welfare and the the rich diversity of languages in our country. We must see
Department of Education work closely together. this as an invaluable asset in education.
(c) NIPUN Bharat is now a flagship program of the Union The success of the policy will lie in the successful
Ministry of Education. States must take advantage of this implementation of the NCFs that truly reflect the spirit
and implement it with full rigour to achieve the objective and specifics of the NEP 2020. The transformation of
of all children having attained foundational literacy and school education is contingent on this aspect. In turn,
numeracy by Grade 3 by 2025. implementation of the NCFs largely depends on all of you
NEP 2020 sees teachers as central to good education. present in this meeting. It is your vision and leadership that
(a) Once the NCF for School Education is complete, the will drive the changes necessary to enable this.
NCF for Teacher Education (NCFTE) will be developed. It A strong, vibrant public education system is the
will be the basis on which both pre-service and in-service foundation of democracy. Our public education system
teacher education should be designed in the country. must be of the highest quality and complete equity.
(b) Going forward, the four-year Integrated Teacher Implementing NEP 2020 is an opportunity to make this
Education Program (ITEP) will be the standard qualification transformation happen. States and the Centre must work
for teachers. States must encourage the best universities closely together towards this. This is the synergy that will
and colleges to offer the ITEP so that high quality teachers make this transformation a reality.
can enter the system very soon.
(c) If good in-service teacher education has to be (This is an edited version of the address of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Chair-
ensured, academic support institutions like State Councils man of the committee which drafted NEP 2020 and currently Chairman,
for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), District National Steering Committee for NCF, at the National Conference of School
Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), Block Education Ministers (June 2022))

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