National Education Policy 2023 – The Ultimate Guide

Since its release in 2020, the National Education Policy or NEP, has been a beacon for transformative initiatives in the Indian education system. Implementing the NEP 2020 has set Indian education on a progressive path wherein we can hope to build an education ecosystem aligned to international standards. Among the most noteworthy changes brought about by NEP are curriculum-aligned learning, instruction in regional languages, integration of technology in education, and promotion of vocational and skill-based learning in India.

As we strive to build a forward-looking and more inclusive education system, the national education policy continues to get updated and refined with each passing year. This year, we also saw the roll-out of the new education policy for 2023.

What is the New Education Policy 2023?

The New National Education Policy 2023 is designed with a vision of holistic education, empowered by adopting modern training methods and education technology and including practical and contemporary skills in the education system. It also includes enabling Indian students to hone their creative, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while actively pursuing digital literacy.

What are the Objectives of New Education Policy 2023 – Goal of NEP

The primary purpose of NEP 2023 is to raise the education standard in Indian schools and colleges and align it with the global level of education. It aims to improve the learning experience in our schools to enable India to emerge as a leader in knowledge-based sectors. The new education policy 2023 seeks to enhance the quality of education and make it equivalent to international standards.

NEP Educational Stages

The NEP 2023 has restructured the schooling system into a 5+3+3+4 model instead of the conventional 10+2 model. Here is what that means –

1. Foundational Stage (5 Years) – The foundational stage starts from the first year of education, including 3 years of pre-primary or Anganwadi schooling, followed by classes 1 and 2. This stage is devoted to building a strong foundation and essential skills. Children between the ages of 3 and 8 fall into this category.
2. Preparatory Stage (3 Years) – Students in classes 3 to 5 will be given learning opportunities for fundamental concepts such as speaking, reading, writing, physical education, art, science, languages, and mathematics. Students between the ages of 8 to 10 years are included in this stage.
3. Middle Stage (3 Years) – From 11 to 13 years, students in the Indian education system will learn more abstract concepts in mathematics, sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities. Classes 6 to 8 are in this category of the education system.
4. Secondary Stage (2 Years) – The secondary stage of the NEP 2023 includes children aged 13 to 18. This stage is classified into two parts: classes 9 and 10. Classes 11 and 12 are in the second part. The four years of this stage are devoted to multi-disciplinary learning driven by depth and critical thinking. There are various subject options available to students in the secondary stage.

New Education Policy 2023: Major Reforms

1. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy – The new education policy aims to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy among students by 2025. It will ensure a strong base among all students for higher stages of education.
2. Revamped Education Structure – To reduce the stress of assessments among young students, examinations will only be held in classes 2, 5 and 8. It is expected to reduce the burden and frequency of assessments to improve student morale. Board exams for standards 10th and 12th will be held bi-annually in objective-descriptive formats.
3. Interdisciplinary Curriculum – Schools will be encouraged to follow an interdisciplinary curriculum and multilingual education to nurture diverse skills and knowledge among their students.
4. Coding and Experimental Learning – Experimental learning encourages children to be curious and learn new concepts by doing rather than reading. Adopting experimental learning approaches in the Indian education system is expected to enhance practical understanding. Children will also be introduced to basic coding concepts from the 6th standard.
5. Health Focus – The new education policy also urges schools to focus on students’ well-being from a young age. The midday meal scheme will be extended to include breakfast. Schools will also welcome counsellors and social workers to work with their students to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
6. Holistic Development Focus – The NEP 2023 aims to establish an education system emphasising students’ holistic development. Multiple dimensions of learning positively influence the student’s overall growth and cognitive, emotional, and societal development.
7. Early Foundational Learning – Prioritising early childhood education ensures students get the proper learning opportunities to develop strong foundations for further education.
8. New Curriculum Structure – One of the most significant reforms of the NEP 2023 is the 5+3+3+4 structure for primary and secondary education. It promotes experiential learning, emphasising practical knowledge, skill-based learning, and holistic development during school years.
9. Tech-Driven Education – The NEP 2023 is focused on using technology to create new and innovative learning experiences. Platforms like DIKSHA will be implemented at all levels to improve access to quality education.
10. Adaptive Evaluation System – The policy specifies rethinking assessments to make them stress-free and adaptive rather than summative. It will allow students to get a comprehensive evaluation that tests knowledge and not the ability to recall.
11. Teacher Training – Continuous training and development of teachers to promote professional development and enable them to improve their delivery and classroom management skills. It will help align teachers to evolving education practices.
12. Inclusivity & Equity – NEP 2023 aims to create an education system that offers equal learning opportunities to all students irrespective of their socioeconomic background, physical barriers or learning ability.

Teacher Policy Revisions Under NEP 2023

Under the recent national education policy reforms, teachers must fulfil a more engaging role and have specific qualifications before any school hires them. By 2030, it will be mandatory for all teachers to have a four-year bachelor of education degree (B Ed.) to qualify as a teacher. The policy has also revised the recruitment process to create a more transparent and equitable teacher hiring experience.

The 5+3+3+4 Structure: What Does it Mean?

1. Holistic Cognitive Growth – The new structure aims to improve the comprehensive cognitive development among Indian students. The learners will be encouraged to experiment, explore, and learn through play from a young age.
2. Optimised Schooling Phases – The framework enriches a student’s learning journey from kindergarten to the secondary levels. It was not possible to optimise the school phases in the previous 10+2 framework.
3. Right to Education – The 5+3+3+4 structure of schooling is expected to aid and improve the implementation of the right to education. The previous structure only included children between 6 and 14, but the new structure included children ages 3 to 18. It ensures continuous and equitable access to education and upholds the right to education.
4. Enhanced Student Foundations – The new structure emphasises the significance of foundational learning. It offers students the chance to actively build a strong foundation of the concepts they must apply in the higher stages of learning.
5. Improved Student Retention – Implementing the 5+3+3+4 structure is expected to improve student retention rates. Institutions are being urged to foster longer academic careers to aid this objective.
6. Versatile Benefits – The new education policy of 2020 and the reforms of 2023 aim to create an education system that offers more than knowledge to its learners. Rather, an education ecosystem that touches every aspect of a student’s personality, including academic, social, emotional, and physical development.
7. Positive Impact on Literacy – India has been striving to improve literacy and build a better-educated population. The new education structure can help us achieve this by positively impacting literacy rates.
8. Forward-Looking Approach – Creating a new foundational education structure reflects a progressive education administration mindset. It can help India align its education system with the evolving needs of society and the demands of the 21st century.
9. Comprehensive Preparation – The new education structure prepares students for the future by covering a wider age range. Better cognitive development equips them to face the challenges of higher education, career pursuits, and life.
10. National Development – The 5+3+3+4 structure can improve our education system to create skilled and well-rounded citizens of our country. Such individuals can do more for the development of our nation and contribute meaningfully to our economy. In the long run, this shift in our education system can lead to better prosperity and growth for India.

How Extramarks Support Schools to Adhere to the NEP 2023?

S. No.	Highlights of NEP 2023	Extramarks Support
1	Emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than rote learning	Diagnostic tests
		Smart learning module
		Animated learning gauge
		Power questions
		Guided learning sessions
2	Educators must try to recognise each student’s unique capabilities and learning needs.	Rich multimedia modules combine text, audio, video & activities. Thus, it caters to all types of learners – auditory, visual, and kinesthetic for average and fast learners.
		Career Assessment Program- Personalised aptitude test
3	Building critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities among learners	Activities, custom interactives, practice interactives, Interactive simulation
		Power questions
4	Encouraging integrated pedagogy: Multi-disciplinary & holistic education ensures unity and integrity of all knowledge.	Making subject projects
		Stretch out activities
		Socio-emotional learning
5	New curriculum structure: 5+3+3+4	Foundational learning: Extra edge, play hub
		Preparatory stage: Concepts in action, simulation activities, interactive activities
		Middle stage: Interactive activities, Extra edge, HOTS
		Secondary stage: multi-disciplinary projects, Interactive activities, HOTS, Concepts in action
6	Establishing a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)	Phonic Tree
		Fun with Phonetics
		Vedic Mathematics
		Modules on Reading, writing, speaking and counting with practice worksheets.
		Conceptual skills modules to cover essential topics.
		Standalone activities to develop FLN
7	Assessment to focus on core concepts, higher order and foundational skills	Robust Assessment Centre
		Customisable exam templates
		Provision to add questions repository
		Power Questions to ace the concept
		Offline & Online assessment
8	AI-based software to track student progress	Insightful reports to track student’s performance throughout the year
		Recommended chapters and topics for every test
9	Integration of Online and Digital Education	An integrated ecosystem of all learning solutions- Teacher App & Student App
		Web and App-based login
		Provision to access in-school & and the school
10	Minimum 50 hours of Continuous Professional Development for teachers and school leaders	Extramarks Teacher Training Program with Teacher’s Assessment ensure continuous professional development of the teaching staff.

The new National Education Policy 2023 is designed with a vision of a progressive, flexible, and inclusive education system. The mission is to establish an education ecosystem wherein students gain useful skills to build better lives for themselves and those around them.

The world of education is evolving, and learning needs have changed. The NEP 2023 is an effort to bring our education system to par with the developed world while maintaining academic rigour and holistic growth.

Last Updated on March 11, 2024