Unveiling the Next Phase: Nepal's 2020 Education Policy Opens Innovative Avenues for Indian Education Systems
The Ministry of Education in India has announced a new mission for school education named 'Samarth', which aims to provide quality education to all students and transform the country's education landscape.
'Samarth' will prioritize the development of digital infrastructure in schools, with a mission to ensure that every student has access to a digital device for learning. The focus is now shifting to the full-scale implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, which has been transforming India's education landscape for five years.
The policy adopts a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, integrating 3 years of Anganwadi/pre-schooling, and promoting foundational literacy and numeracy. Vocational education is introduced starting from Class 6, with a goal that at least 50% of learners engage in vocational training by 2025, blending academic and vocational streams without rigid separation.
To emphasize inclusive learning, 'Samarth' proposes establishing a Gender Inclusion Fund and Special Education Zones to support disadvantaged groups and regions. Mother tongue or regional language is prioritized as the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, promoting multilingualism. The mission also aims to mainstream 2 crore out-of-school children.
In addition, 'Samarth' will introduce a national assessment framework for schools, focus on improving teaching methodologies and learning outcomes, and encourage the use of innovative teaching methods, including AI and Virtual Reality (VR). The mission will also provide scholarships to students from economically weaker sections.
To further enhance the quality of digital content for learning, initiatives like NIPUN Bharat are bolstering foundational skills. Higher education now includes AI apprenticeships, and the policy promotes extensive use of technology and AI-enabled learning through the National Educational Technology Forum.
Career platforms are being introduced to guide students in their career choices, and a career counseling program will be part of the 'Samarth' mission. The policy also emphasizes teacher quality enhancement by creating the National Professional Standards for Teachers and integrated B.Ed. programs.
In summary, the 'Samarth' mission aims to provide quality education to all students, foster inclusive learning, and integrate vocational training. The mission plans to introduce a national assessment framework for schools, encourage the use of innovative teaching methods, and focus on improving teaching methodologies and learning outcomes. The mission will also provide scholarships to students from economically weaker sections, and career platforms and a career counseling program will be introduced to guide students in their career choices.
[1] Ministry of Education, India. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. Retrieved from https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf [2] Ministry of Education, India. (2021). National Education Policy 2020: Key Highlights. Retrieved from https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Highlights_0.pdf [3] Ministry of Education, India. (2021). National Education Policy 2020: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/FAQs_on_NEP_2020_0.pdf [4] Ministry of Education, India. (2021). National Education Policy 2020: Implementation Framework. Retrieved from https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Implementation_Framework_0.pdf
- The new 'Samarth' mission by the Ministry of Education in India focuses on policy and legislation, aiming to reform the country's education-and-self-development landscape, as evidenced by the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.
- As part of the 'Samarth' mission, general-news reporting has highlighted the introduction of a national assessment framework for schools, a focus on innovative teaching methods like AI and Virtual Reality (VR), and the aim to mainstream 2 crore out-of-school children.
- Learning resources, such as NIPUN Bharat and AI apprenticeships in higher education, are part of the 'Samarth' mission's efforts to promote self-development through education and improve learning outcomes.
