What Are the Main Features of NEP 2020? Overview of 10 Key Features

To provide a comprehensive understanding of NEP 2020, here is a summary of its 10 main features, formulated around the foundational pillars of Access, Quality, Equity, Affordability, and Accountability.

1. Ensuring universal access at all levels of school education

National Education Policy 2020 focuses on ensuring universal access to school education at all levels. Some of the ways to achieve this are:

• Infrastructure support
• Tracking the progress of students and their learning levels
• Facilitating different modes  of learning, including both formal and in-formal education modes
• Introduction of counsellors and well-trained social workers into the schooling system.
• Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes for classes 3, 5 and 8 through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and State Open Schools.
• Secondary education programmes equivalent to classes 10 and 12.
• Vocational education courses/programmes from preschool to Grade 12; promotion of adult literacy and life-enrichment programmes.

2. Attaining Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)

One of the important salient features of NEP 2020 is recognising Foundational Literacy and Numeracy as an urgent and essential prerequisite to learning. NEP 2020 calls for building the National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by MHRD. In this mission, the states will prepare an implementation plan to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy in all primary school students until grade 3 by 2025.

3. Reforms in school curricula and pedagogy

The new school curricula and pedagogy aim for the holistic development of students by equipping them with vital 21st-century skills, reducing curricular content to improve essential learning and critical thinking and emphasising experiential learning. This will allow students to have increased flexibility and choice of subjects. There will be no hard separations between arts and sciences, between vocational and academic streams, and between curricular and extracurricular activities.

In addition, vocational education will be introduced during Grades 6-8, with internship opportunities offered under a practice-based curriculum designed by NCERT while framing a new National Curriculum Framework for School (NCFSE).

4. Focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

With the focus on Early Childhood Care and Education, the old 10+2 structure is replaced by a new 5+3+3+4 model to be in tune with the ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years. This is one of the main salient features of NEP 2020, which will bring the formerly uncovered age group of three-six years under formal school curriculum guidelines. This is because the age group of 3-8 years has been recognised globally as a critical  time for the development of the mental abilities of a child.

5. Inclusive and Equitable Education

NEP 2020 seeks to bridge gender and social gaps in education by:

• Ensuring that every child has access to quality education, irrespective of their socio-economic background
• Implementing scholarships and other financial aid schemes
• Establishing special education zones for underrepresented regions

6. Multilingualism and the Promotion of Indian Languages

NEP 2020 promotes multilingualism as a critical component of education, advocating for the mother tongue/local language as the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5. This policy aims to preserve and promote Indian languages through the establishment of language institutes and the translation of learning materials into regional languages.

7. Assessment Reforms

The policy introduces a shift from summative to formative assessments, focusing on competency-based evaluations. The goal is to reduce the emphasis on rote learning and high-stakes examinations, promoting assessments that encourage continuous learning and development.

8. Integration of Technology in Education

Recognising the importance of technology in education, NEP 2020 advocates for the integration of digital tools and resources into the learning process. This includes:

• Establishing the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) to promote digital literacy and innovation
• Encouraging the development of e-content and online resources

9. Teacher Education and Professional Development

The policy emphasises the continuous professional development of teachers through training programs and workshops. By 2030, the minimum qualification for teaching will be a four-year integrated B.Ed. degree, ensuring that teachers are well-equipped to handle the demands of modern education.

10. Vocational Education and Skill Development

NEP 2020 aims to integrate vocational education into the mainstream education system, with a goal of exposing at least 50% of learners to vocational education by 2025. The policy encourages internships and hands-on experiences to prepare students for the workforce.

With New Education Policy (NEP) guidelines, LEAD Group’s revolutionary teaching methods and internationally benchmarked curriculum are playing a crucial role in enabling Indian schools to align with the NEP education system.

Conceptual understanding

LEAD Group has introduced unique pedagogical approaches for different subjects to ensure students learn subjects as a skill and not gain just theoretical knowledge. LEAD Group’s classroom activities, interactions and routines make learning holistic and experiential.

Proficiency in languages and communication skills

LEAD Group offers strong language learning from early pre-primary years with English Language and General Awareness (ELGA) and Sampoorna Hindi programs. While in class, LEAD Group embraces activity-based learning to ensure students can easily lay hold of abstract subjects like Maths.

Inclusion of essential subjects and skills

LEAD Group has introduced subjects such as Coding & Computational Skills (CCS). Rather than simply consuming content using technology, LEAD Group enables students to become creators by using technology to build apps, websites and games and thus become future-ready.

Regular formative assessments

LEAD Partner Schools conduct assessments that target learning outcomes and competencies. With remedial and doubt-solving sessions, teachers at LEAD Partner Schools understand students’ struggles and help them overcome their challenges.