Following our series of blog posts on the salient features of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, we bring you yet another blog post introducing you to further features of the policy:

Equitable and inclusive education

The NEP emphasizes equitable access to quality education for all students, with a particular focus on Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs). Moreover by identifying disparities, the policy acknowledges various factors that create educational disadvantages including:

• Gender identity (especially girls and transgender individuals)
• Socio-cultural background (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities)
• Geographical location (rural areas, small towns)
• Disabilities (including learning disabilities)
• Socio-economic conditions (migrant workers, low-income families, vulnerable children)

Targeted strategies

• Category-specific Approaches: Separate strategies will be developed to address the challenges faced by each disadvantaged group.
• Special Education Zones (SEZs): Regions with high concentrations of SEDGs will be designated as SEZs to receive additional support and resources.
• Gender-inclusion Fund: A dedicated fund will be established to promote equitable and quality education for girls and transgender students.

Expanding access and opportunities

• Free Boarding Facilities: Free boarding facilities, meeting the standards of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, will be built for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Strengthening Existing Programmes: Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (girls’ schools) will be strengthened and expanded to provide access to quality education for girls up to Grade 12.
• New Schools in Disadvantaged Areas: Additional Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (central government schools) and Kendriya Vidyalayas (central government-run schools) will be established, particularly in aspirational districts, SEZs and other disadvantaged areas.
• Early Childhood Education: Pre-school sections offering at least one year of early childhood care and education will be added to Kendriya Vidyalayas and other primary schools, especially in disadvantaged areas.

Supporting children with disabilities

• Accessibility: Barrier-free access for children with disabilities will be ensured as mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act.
• Assistive Technologies: Schools will provide assistive devices, technology-based tools and appropriate learning materials in various languages.
• Indian Sign Language: The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) will develop quality modules for teaching Indian Sign Language and other subjects using Sign Language.
• Special Needs Support: In accordance with the RPWD Act, children with benchmark disabilities will have the option to attend regular or special schools. Resource centers with special educators will support the needs of students with severe or multiple disabilities.
• Teacher Training: Knowledge of teaching children with various disabilities will be integrated into all teacher education programmes.

Focus on marginalized groups

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes: Special attention will be given to reducing educational disparities faced by these communities. This includes establishing special hostels, providing bridge courses and offering financial aid through fee waivers and scholarships.

Resource management and collaboration

The NEP acknowledges the challenges of effectively utilizing and sharing resources across schools. They propose to address such challenges by establishing school clusters. By 2025, state and union territory governments will implement innovative mechanisms such as forming “school complexes” or “clusters.”

The above approach aims to achieve the following:

• Better Resource Allocation: Ensure resources are used more efficiently and reach a wider range of students.
• Enhanced Support for Special Needs: Provide better support for students with disabilities within the school complex.
• Enriching Activities: Facilitate the creation of more topic-based clubs and the organization of academic, sports, arts and crafts events across schools.
• Teacher Collaboration: Encourage the sharing of teachers’ expertise by utilizing ICT tools like virtual classes for wider reach.
• Improved Student Support: Strengthen student support systems by appointing counselors across schools which will lead to better enrollment, attendance and performance monitoring.

Stay tuned for more as we continue to explore the transformative features of NEP 2020 in our upcoming blog posts.