In a major revamp, the draft of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2019 has recommended the restructuring of the school curriculum in a new “5+3+3+4" design departing from the "10 +2" format thus far followed, since implemation of NEP in 1968.
In a major revamp, the draft of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2019 has recommended the restructuring of the school curriculum in a new “5+3+3+4" design departing from the "10 +2" format thus far followed, since implemation of NEP in 1968.
The policy document recommended by a nine-member committee headed by former ISRO Chief, Dr Kasturirangan has made suggestions for restructuring both higher education and school education, and the examination system.
The 10 +2 system had classes 1-5 at the primary stage, classes 6-8 at the upper primary stage, classes 9-10 at the secondary stage and classes 11-12 at the higher secondary stage. Under the new system, classes will be 5+3+3+4, with five years of foundational stage which includes three years of pre-primary school and Grades 1 and 2, followed by three years of the preparatory (or latter primary) stage—grades 3, 4 and 5. Three years of middle (or upper primary) stage— grades 6, 7 and 8 and finally, four years of the high (or secondary) stage— grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.
According to the draft policy, the curricular and pedagogical structure of school education will be reconfigured in a way that will make it responsive and relevant to the developmental needs and interests of learners at different stages of their development, corresponding to the ages of 3-8 years, 8-11 years, 11-14 years, and 14-18 years respectively.
The issue that is a cause for concern among educationalists is bringing in public exams at Class 8 level. This will in turn cause pressure to schools, students and parents alike, according to experts. Speaking on this, Prince Gajendra Babu , an activist working on issues related to education said, "This is a draft policy and they have given a deadline till June 30 to allow feedback. But if this policy is implemented, it will surely affect the children. They will be put under tremendous pressure preparing for public exams at the age of 13. But we have to wait and see if all the recommendations will be implemented . Educationalists will raise their voice against this move and if there is wide opposition, the Government might reconsider."
A new perspective was voiced by an educationalist that the Government was trying to cut down the number of people who are completing school education to pursue higher studies. Speaking on anonymity, the Government school teacher said, "Now there is a huge shortage of "C" class labourers. Not many workers are available to do jobs like plumbing, carpentry and electrical work. This is because students who pass the school level, get into colleges, complete their degrees and are unwilling to take up skilled trades but prefer white collar jobs. The Government wants to indirectly bring down the number of school pass-outs and if someone fails in Class 8, there are possibilities that many of them may quit schools and get into skilled trades."
Whatever be the motive of the Central government, parents opine that if public exams are brought in at the Class 8 level, this will surely affect the mindset of students since there will be immense pressure on them at the tender age of 13. "Even at Class 10 and 12 levels, schools put tremendous pressure on students to show off their pass percentage. Against Government rules, many private schools conduct classes during summer without a break for students. If Class 8 students are made to write public exams it will make things worse. Hope educationalists will oppose this move and the Government will reconsider implementing this move," said Sudha, a mother from the Race Course area whose son was getting into eighth standard, this academic year.
Educational experts and many teachers expect the Government to consider all these factors and bring in reforms which will aid the overall development of children and not affect them psychologically at a tender age.
The policy document recommended by a nine-member committee headed by former ISRO Chief, Dr Kasturirangan has made suggestions for restructuring both higher education and school education, and the examination system.
The 10 +2 system had classes 1-5 at the primary stage, classes 6-8 at the upper primary stage, classes 9-10 at the secondary stage and classes 11-12 at the higher secondary stage. Under the new system, classes will be 5+3+3+4, with five years of foundational stage which includes three years of pre-primary school and Grades 1 and 2, followed by three years of the preparatory (or latter primary) stage—grades 3, 4 and 5. Three years of middle (or upper primary) stage— grades 6, 7 and 8 and finally, four years of the high (or secondary) stage— grades 9, 10, 11 and 12.
According to the draft policy, the curricular and pedagogical structure of school education will be reconfigured in a way that will make it responsive and relevant to the developmental needs and interests of learners at different stages of their development, corresponding to the ages of 3-8 years, 8-11 years, 11-14 years, and 14-18 years respectively.
The issue that is a cause for concern among educationalists is bringing in public exams at Class 8 level. This will in turn cause pressure to schools, students and parents alike, according to experts. Speaking on this, Prince Gajendra Babu , an activist working on issues related to education said, "This is a draft policy and they have given a deadline till June 30 to allow feedback. But if this policy is implemented, it will surely affect the children. They will be put under tremendous pressure preparing for public exams at the age of 13. But we have to wait and see if all the recommendations will be implemented . Educationalists will raise their voice against this move and if there is wide opposition, the Government might reconsider."
A new perspective was voiced by an educationalist that the Government was trying to cut down the number of people who are completing school education to pursue higher studies. Speaking on anonymity, the Government school teacher said, "Now there is a huge shortage of "C" class labourers. Not many workers are available to do jobs like plumbing, carpentry and electrical work. This is because students who pass the school level, get into colleges, complete their degrees and are unwilling to take up skilled trades but prefer white collar jobs. The Government wants to indirectly bring down the number of school pass-outs and if someone fails in Class 8, there are possibilities that many of them may quit schools and get into skilled trades."
Whatever be the motive of the Central government, parents opine that if public exams are brought in at the Class 8 level, this will surely affect the mindset of students since there will be immense pressure on them at the tender age of 13. "Even at Class 10 and 12 levels, schools put tremendous pressure on students to show off their pass percentage. Against Government rules, many private schools conduct classes during summer without a break for students. If Class 8 students are made to write public exams it will make things worse. Hope educationalists will oppose this move and the Government will reconsider implementing this move," said Sudha, a mother from the Race Course area whose son was getting into eighth standard, this academic year.
Educational experts and many teachers expect the Government to consider all these factors and bring in reforms which will aid the overall development of children and not affect them psychologically at a tender age.