Key Features of the National Education Policy

Why in news?

The Delhi University (DU) has approved a 4-year undergraduate (UG) programme as part of the reforms under the new National Education Policy.

What are the key features of the NEP?

Multidisciplinarity

• Higher education in India is focused on producing disciplinary experts.
• But the new NEP proposes to break disciplinary boundaries.
• E.g., B Tech students, beyond their core subject limits, will have significant component of arts and humanities. And arts and humanities students will learn more science too.

4-year Undergrad Programme

• UG programmes in Indiausually are for 3 years, except for professional degrees (B Tech & MBBS).
• NEP proposes to “adjust” the length of the programmes to accommodate different subjects along with the chosen major and minor subjects.
• 4-year UG program is thus a means to achieve multidisciplinarity in education.
• However, the student will have the option to leave the program midway.

Quitting after the first year - Acertificate

After the second year - Adiploma

After the third year - ABachelor’s degree

Completing the 4 years programme - Bachelor’s degree “with Research” if the student completes “a rigorous research project” in her major area(s) of study.

Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)

• Higher education institutions will digitally deposit credits earned by students for courses they studied; prior learning represented in course units.
• A student’s deposit of credits in the ABC helps her move laterally from one higher education institution to another, if needed.
• Credits would also include that for courses or projects in areas such as community engagement and service, environmental education, etc.
• So, the ABC is expected to aid the multiple entry and exit system as well as multidisciplinarity in higher education.

Regional languages

• Promoting Indian languages, arts and culture through education.
• Higher education institutions are recommended to adopt regional languages as the medium of instruction. (Click here to know more)
• Thiswill help increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education and add to its inclusiveness.

National Entrance Test

• A single university entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency, instead of the multiple entrance tests that students now face.
• The high quality, range, and flexibility of the NTA testing services will enable most universities (optional) to use the NTAassessments as the basis for student admissions.

Source: The Indian Express