The new national education policy enacts numerous changes to how schools function. Let’s take a look at the key changes that the New Education Policy brings in for schools:

1. School education to begin from the age of 3 years
   The New Education Policy brings in a change in the academic structure from 10+2 to 5+3+3+4. The earlier 10+2 structure did not cover the education provided to the age group of 3-6.
   In the 5+3+3+4 structure proposed by the New Education Policy, a strong base of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from age 3 is also included, which is aimed at promoting better overall learning, development, and well-being.
   Schools need to implement the recommendations of New Education Policy as follows:
   • Foundational Stage (Ages 3-8 years) – This stage is further divided into two substages – three years of Anganwadi/Pre-primary, followed by subsequent years in primary school. The focus of the studies will be on play/activity-based learning.
   • Preparatory Stage (Ages 8-11 years) – From classes 3 to 5, this stage will focus on developing students’ basic numeracy and literacy skills. In addition, it will gradually introduce subjects like arts, science and mathematics to students.
   • Middle Stage (Ages 11-13 years) – From classes 6 to 8, students will get familiar with the more abstract concepts in subjects of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, and Social Sciences. The pedagogical and curriculum approach will be interdisciplinary and experiential.
   • Secondary Stage (Ages 14-18 years) – From classes 9 to 12, this stage is further divided into two substages – classes 9 and 10 cover the first phase while classes 11 and 12 cover the second phase. During this stage, schools will follow a multi-disciplinary approach to the study while students will have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of subjects.

   Additionally, the NEP education system recommends schools adopt experiential learning and introduce coding starting from class 6.

2. EdTech to solve India’s core education problems
   The New Education Policy strongly focuses on utilising the power of modern technology at all levels of learning to make education accessible to everyone. The main idea is to improve classroom effectiveness with technological advancement so that no child is left behind.
   The NEP education system provides EdTech companies and startups the guidelines and impetus to develop and implement ERP software, learning management systems, online labs, assessment platforms etc. for schools. Thus, the new policy aims to provide uninterrupted education to all societies.
3. Inclusion of essential subjects and skills
   The New Education Policy emphasises the importance of preparing students for today’s fiercely competitive world. Therefore, it aims to empower students with 21st-century life skills such as teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, etc. The motive is to prepare students for further education or enter the workforce.
   According to the NEP education system, certain subjects and skills should be learned by all students to become innovative, productive, adaptable, and successful. It recommends schools offer subjects based on mathematics and computational thinking, right from the foundational stage, through various fun and indigenous learning methods.
4. The promotion of multilingualism and knowledge of India
   The New Education Policy proposes using mother-tongue, local, or regional language as the medium of instruction in private and public schools till Class 5 and preferably till Class 8 and beyond. The suggestion is a result of various studies that have proved that children tend to get a better grip on concepts when taught in their mother tongue/home language.
   Moreover, the NEP education system emphasises learning Sanskrit and foreign languages. It also states that students will learn three languages in their school, of which two should be native to India. It recommends teachers use a bi-lingual approach while interacting with their students. The idea is to widen their awareness, tolerance, and cultural sensitivity.
5. A strong focus on teacher empowerment
   Finally, the New Education Policy considers teachers and faculty the heart of the learning process. It demands a complete overhaul of the teaching profession in India to create a robust merit-based structure of salary, promotion, and tenure that recognises and rewards outstanding teachers.
   The NEP education system strengthens the teacher recruitment process and makes it transparent. According to the new policy, teachers and principals will undergo Continuous Professional Development modules every year to improve their leadership, teaching, and school management skills and implement competency-based learning.

How Are LEAD-powered Schools in Sync with the New Education Policy?

The New Education Policy has retired the old ways of learning and rejuvenated the education sector. Since the government’s outlook has also changed towards the country’s education system, parents and school management are now realising the need to align their children’s education with the new NEP education system. To cope with the dramatic changes the new policy brings to the education sector, they need a new-age integrated academic management solution perfectly aligned with the New Education Policy.