Our National Education policy could yet rescue school students

News: On the recommendations of the Kothari Commission, the first National Education Policy was released in 1968. The government has again introduced the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to transform the basic architecture culture and approach of Indian education.

How can the National Education Policy address the learning challenges post covid?

First, NEP’s comprehensive and systematic response to tackle problems of basic literacy and numeracy can help students overcome challenges created by the covid pandemic. With proper on-the-ground implementation and policies commitment to transforming the care and education of children, use can be made of the ‘Foundational stages’.

Second, As envisaged by the national curriculum framework, there is a need to re-configure and cut down the syllabus to the essentials to meet the learning goals and recover the learning loss. This will help to move children away from rote learning.

Third, there is a need to completely redesign the approach to education in 9 to 12 classes, including how board examinations are conducted.

Fourth, school complexes should be restructured for better outcomes. They should be transformed into communities of schools, teachers and learners. This should be taken up urgently by the states.

Fifth, NEP’s thrust to empower teachers and grant autonomy to institutions will enable institutions to be adaptive and flexible.

Source: This post is based on the article “Our National Education policy could yet rescue school students” published in Livemint on 2nd December 2021.