National Education Policy 2020-gaps and appreciation

India is one of the youngest nations in the world and in the next decade it will have the highest number of young people in the world. This was the background in which National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was announced by the Government of India on July 29, 2020. It says “… our ability to provide high-quality educational opportunities to them (youth) will determine the future of India.  The NEP 2020 document rightly emphasised that “Education is the fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society, and promoting national development.”

 

There is no doubt that we needed a New Education Policy. The last National Education Policy was adopted in 1986, and revised in 1992. Since then, changes of momentous significance have taken place at national and international level. Most important among them are the changes in information and communication technology, which are important to take into account for the planning for education in the 21^st century India.

 

The NEP 2020 is a progressive policy document but it has some recommendations which should be relooked at. They need to be changed.

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is one of the positive features of the policy.  Children in the age group of 0-6 years were not covered by RTE Act 2009.  It is rightly pointed out by the NEP that over 85% of a child’s cumulative brain development occurs prior to the age of 6 years.  Since this was not part of the RTE Act, quality ECCE is not available to crores of children. The NEP has set a  goal for universalization of quality ECCE by 2030. It will ensure that all students entering Grade I are school ready.

 

The NEP 2020 envisages the replacement of the existing 10+2 structure of school education by a 5+3+3+4 structures. It covers children right from the age of 3 years to 18 years.  But the policy does not talk about the extension of RTE Act 2009 to cover children in the age group of 3 to 18 years. In fact, it is diluting the existing Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. This Act need to be strengthened. The NEP is also silent on making necessary steps to strengthen the public education system, ensure that it is adequately financed, resourced and empowered.

 

The NEP is focusing on curtailing dropout rates of school going children and ensuring universal access to education at every level.