Positive changes to occur with the adaption of NEW EDUCATION POLICY (NEP) 2020.

Its been 34 years since the last education policy in India was revised. The new policy, however, encourages higher standards for students in schools and colleges. The policy focuses on the overall development of the future generation.  

These are the following changes which will be adopted by the schools considering the NEP 2020 :

• Time and efforts to build the foundation – The current 10 + 2 structure, which covered schooling from Grade 1 to 10 (Primary to high school) generally from the age of 6 to 16 and then the Senior secondary grades (11 and 12) age 16 to 18. However, the NEP breaks it down to Foundational, Preparatory, middle and secondary levels. Which includes 5 years of foundational education, 3 years of preparatory, 3 years of the middle, and 4 years of secondary schooling. The new structure includes three years of preschool education for 3-6-year-olds to provide widespread access to education.
• Language proficiency – Students will be taught three languages through their schooling years. Language/mother-tongue/ local language/ regional language is the main focus. However, students will be given a choice between other Indian and foreign languages starting in grade 6 or 7. According to the Culture and education minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal's three-language formula, and no language will be flexible will be imposed on any state. Standardization of Indian Sign Language will also be given preferences.
• Central board examination – Class 10 and 12 board exams will be made ‘easier’ for the students. Testing fewer core competencies to reward better core understanding of the subject rather than memorization. The students will also have a choice to retake the board exams and the best score of two will be counted. The question papers will be redesigned to include objective and subjective questions. Multiple choice questions in addition to descriptive questions. However, the changes in the board structure will be implemented from the 2021 academic session.
• No hard separations between streams – Students will be free to choose their streams according to their will. No particular stream will be given a higher preference which will be a relief for students from the burden and will allow them to follow their choices. 
• 10 bagless days and practical exposure –  In an entire academic year, schools and institutions will provide 10 bags fewer days to the students in which they will be allowed to take Informal internships to gain practical knowledge and will start their journey to self-dependency.

Changes to be brought in Higher Education (Colleges and Universities

• Entrance – Board exams alone will no longer determine the admission in colleges there will be an aptitude test on the lines of SAT in the US, these tests will serve as a common entrance exam across the country to be overseen by NTA. However, universities are free to disregard and move forward with their entrance exams. The modification will be implemented from the 2022 academic session.
• Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs – Bachelor’s (UG) courses will be of three to four years and students will get the liberty to quit in between with a certificate (after 1 year) and diploma (after two years) and a degree after commencing the whole course. Midterm dropouts will be given credit to the option to resume the degree later. No time will be wasted by a student.

NEP 2020 allows institutes the flexibility to design their courses. For those who do a three-year bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree can be a two-year course, with the second year focusing on research. For students who do a four-year bachelor’s, master’s could be just one year. Integrated bachelor’s-master’s programs spanning five years will be introduced but the M.Phil. the program will be discontinued altogether. For a Ph.D., students will need a four-year bachelor or a master’s with a three-year bachelor’s degree.

The NEW EDUCATION POLICY of 2020, has opened all together with the new doors for the upcoming generation. Reducing the burden of students to the overall development of an individual NEP has covered it all. Perhaps, not everyone in the country is satisfied with the modification as a lot of people think that this will increase the education expenses and entirely oppose the changes. The trending hashtags on twitter saying #REJECTNEP2020 can be seen.