After our insightful post on Jaadui Pitara, let’s revisit the topics we’ve covered so far and dive deeper into some more key features of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Let’s dive into the significant aspects:
New Pedagogical and Curricular Structure
• The current 10+2 system in school education will be transformed into a 5+3+3+4 structure, covering ages 3-18.
• Children aged 3-6, previously excluded from the 10+2 system, will now be integrated, starting with Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from age 3.
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
• Universal quality early childhood development, care, and education must be achieved by 2030.
• ECCE aims to optimize physical, motor, cognitive, socio-emotional, ethical, cultural, artistic, and communication development, along with early language, literacy, and numeracy.
• The National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for ECCE (NCPFECCE) will be developed by NCERT for children up to age 8.
• India’s rich local traditions, including art, stories, poetry, games, and songs, will be integrated into ECCE.
• ECCE will be delivered through:
o Individual Anganwadis
o Anganwadis within primary schools
o Pre-primary sections for ages 5-6 co-located with primary schools
o Stand-alone pre-schools
• All ECCE institutions will have teachers specially trained in ECCE curriculum and pedagogy.
• Anganwadi Centres will be strengthened to ensure universal access to ECCE.
• Children under age 5 will transition to a “Preparatory Class” or “Balavatika” before entering Class 1, taught by ECCE-qualified teachers.
• Current Anganwadi workers/teachers with 10+2 qualifications will undergo a 6-month ECCE certification program, while those with lower qualifications will undertake a one-year diploma program, possibly through digital or distance learning modes to minimize job disruption.
• The Ministries of HRD, Women and Child Development (WCD), Health and Family Welfare (HFW), and Tribal Affairs will jointly plan and implement the ECCE curriculum.
Fighting Dropout Rates to Ensure Education for All
This section outlines a two-pronged strategy to address dropout rates and ensure inclusive education:
a. Building a Strong Foundation and Offering Alternatives
• Infrastructure Upgrade: Ensure all schools, from preschool to Grade 12, have the necessary infrastructure for a supportive learning environment.
• Alternative Education Centers: Establish innovative centers to attract children who might drop out due to migration or other challenges, providing alternative paths to reintegrate them into mainstream education.
• Tracking Progress: Monitor student attendance and learning levels closely to identify potential dropouts and intervene proactively.
b. Expanding Educational Opportunities
• Counseling and Social Support: Place counselorsor trained social workers in schools to guide and support students.
• Multiple Learning Pathways: Broaden education to include formal schooling and non-formal learning options to cater to diverse learning styles and needs.
• Open Schooling Expansion: Strengthen existing open schooling systems (NIOS and State Open Schools) to offer programs equivalent to Grades 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12, along with vocational and adult education programs. Encourage states to offer these programs in local languages through strengthened State Institutes of Open Schooling (SIOS).
• Community Involvement: Create databases of volunteers, such as literate community members, retired professionals, alumni, and educators, to contribute to the learning process.
Stay tuned for more as we continue to explore the transformative features of NEP 2020 in our upcoming blog posts.
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