REVOLUTIONIZING INDIA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM: THE IMPACT OF NEP 2020 ON SCHOOL EDUCATION

Abstract

Since India gained independence, the education system has undergone significant changes and developments across various dimensions. Reforms have been introduced to align education with the goals of national development, addressing both individual and societal needs. School education plays a crucial role in fostering the holistic development of students. This study aims to examine the school education framework of the recently adopted National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, comparing it with the school education systems outlined in previous policies and commissions: the Secondary Education Commission (1952), the National Education Commission (1964), the National Policy on Education (1968), the National Policy on Education (1986), and the Programme of Action (POA). The data for this study were drawn from the reports of these commissions and policies, along with information from published journals, articles, theses, and dissertations. A document-based analysis was employed for this study, utilizing secondary data sources. The findings reveal that the school education model in NEP 2020 serves as a modern, technology-driven, and vocationally oriented approach. The policy emphasizes multidisciplinary learning, vocational education, and the use of mother tongue in education. Furthermore, all the reviewed commissions and educational policies have stressed the importance of enhancing the quality of school education.