However, when they are raised in an education system that is exam centric, it tends to perpetuate ineffective learning.
Fortunately, institutes can take measures to ensure the quality of education, especially with the NEP 2020, implementing landmark changes to the academic structure has become compulsory. In addition, the policy has directed many steps towards enhancing teaching and learning methodologies.
But what are the schools expected to do to implement NEP 2020? Let us find out:
- Reformation of the Academic Structure
Besides, the schooling system will follow four vital stages, including the foundational stage, which will relate to the first five years incorporating the preschool stage from three to six years of age and classes 1 and 2 for six to eight-year-olds. The preparatory stage includes three years from classes three to five, wherein students gain a conceptual understanding of numerous subjects.
The middle stage of the schooling structure will include students aged eleven to fourteen, covering a total of three years from classes six to eight. Also, it is a crucial stage where students will develop core academic skills, and teachers will teach them life skills.
- Effective School Leadership
A principal is a significant leader who plays an integral part in determining the mission and vision of a school; therefore, their contribution to implementing the NEP is of utmost importance. Moreover, they are a facilitator and a guide who monitors instructional practices. Hence, it is imperative for schools to choose an individual who has relevant knowledge of effective instructional strategies and understands the students’ and teachers’ needs.
School principals will undergo a selection process, enabling the candidate with the right aptitude and attitude to assume the leadership position.
Moreover, the framework initiated by NCSL( National Centre for School Leadership) should be adopted by all states, considering that they can incorporate the adaptations as and wherever feasible. Also, stFurthermore, the principal’s role will continue to include the development, implementation, modifications, and selection of curriculum materials
- Curricular Integration of Essential Subjects, Skills, and Capacities
Sole emphasis on academic subjects, theoretical teaching and content-based learning has been a cornerstone of education. In effect, it led students to focus more on rote memorisation to pass their examinations. However, with the national education policy 2020, there will be a major shift towards a competency-based, enabling institutes to include improved curriculum.
For instance, textbooks will facilitate discussion analysis and application, and the teaching methodologies will project-based learning opportunities. Furthermore, specific subjects, skills and capacities will receive increased emphasis in school. And teachers will impart information on specific subjects through the experiential learning approach, wherein students will get hands-on experience, enabling them to connect theories and knowledge with real-world scenarios.
- 21st-Century Skills Enhancement
Years of unemployment in India have proved the fact that attaining an academic degree.
insufficient if one does not have relevant skills and competencies. Besides, the present and upcoming era belong to those with veritable qualities to survive in an ever-evolving and competitive job market.
NEP 2020 focused on a specific set of skills that the schools should incorporate from the early stages of the schooling structure.
So, the 21-st century skills are as follows:
- Collaboration and teamwork; problem-solving and logical reasoning; vocational exposure and skills; digital literacy, coding, and computational thinking.
- Ethical and moral reasoning; knowledge and practice of human and Constitutional values; gender sensitivity; fundamental duties; citizenship skills and values.
- Scientific temper and evidence-based thinking; creativity and innovativeness; a sense of aesthetics and art.
oral and written communication. health and nutrition. physical education, fitness, wellness, and sports.
collaboration and teamwork; problem-solving and logical reasoning.
vocational exposure and skills.
- Knowledge of India; environmental awareness including water and resource conservation, sanitation and hygiene.
current affairs and knowledge of critical issues facing local communities, states, the country, and the world mathematics and computational thinking.
- Varied Learning Techniques and Experiments
Teaching methodologies will undergo a major revamp wherein teachers will facilitate the holistic development.
students, so cognitive, affective and psycho-motor attributes will be taken into account. Also, the lesson delivery will incorporate inquiry-based, discovery-based, discussion-based, and analysis-based learning experiences.
Teachers must take advantage of modern tools and applications such as ERP campus to conduct engaging and dynamic classroom sessions. Consequently, it will allow them to include multiple activities, including story-telling, discussions, experiments, etc.
In Conclusion,
NEP 2020 is a comprehensive educational reformation initiative that requires step-by-step implementation. Therefore, the best way to go about it is to pre-plan every stage and execute them accordingly. Also, dividing specific responsibilities among different departments while maintaining strong communication between the team members is essential.
