(GIST OF YOJANA) NEP 2020 IN ACTION: DRIVING ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSIVITY

GIST OF YOJANA : NEP 2020 IN ACTION: DRIVING ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSIVITY

MARCH-2025

NEP 2020 IN ACTION: DRIVING ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSIVITY

Introduction

A supportive atmosphere for children’s intellectual, emotional, and social growth during early education plays a crucial role in determining their future achievements. While studies highlight this fact, India has traditionally struggled to offer such essential support. Acknowledging this deficiency, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, stresses the necessity for robust foundational learning. It aims to provide students with essential life skills that extend beyond mere memorization.

Key Objectives:

The objective is straightforward: allocate resources early and strategically to guarantee prolonged educational and societal advantages, fulfilling the promise of inclusive and accessible education from an early age. This comprehensive strategy intends to rectify previous failings, creating environments where every child can flourish. The NEP aspires to dismantle the cycle of educational disparities, especially for underprivileged students.

The effectiveness of the NEP can be measured through enhanced enrollments, improved learning outcomes, and the formation of a skilled workforce. These results are also reflected in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) survey, which evaluates children’s enrollment and learning levels in rural India. The ASER findings have historically emphasized the pressing need for the implementation of NEP’s focus on foundational skills.

Key Outcomes of NEP 2020 Implementation

Enhancements in Foundational Learning

The ASER 2024 indicates that students in primary and secondary classrooms, in addition to recovering from the pandemic's disruption, have outperformed their pre-pandemic counterparts in foundational skills.

Government schools have shown faster advancements in foundational skills compared to private institutions.
Children aged 6-14 years enrolled in school have reached an all-time high of 98.1% in 2024.
The number of underage children in Standard I has dwindled to its lowest rate of 16.7%, in line with NEP’s focus on age-appropriate school enrollment.

(ii) NIPUN Bharat Mission: Accelerating Transformation

The NIPUN Bharat Mission has emerged as a crucial driver in advancing the NEP’s goals. It encompasses:

Clearly Defined Targets: Aimed at achieving designated foundational learning benchmarks.
Innovative Teaching Methods: Promotes toy-based and experiential learning approaches.
Effectiveness in Rural Areas: Tackles learning deficiencies in marginalized regions.
Educator Development: Offers in-depth programs to equip teachers with impactful teaching techniques.

Key Trends Influencing India’s Education Scene

(i) Enhancing Early Childhood Education

Enrollment in pre-primary education has significantly increased, surpassing 70% for children aged 3-5.
The number of out-of-school children in the 3-5 age bracket has drastically declined from 2018 to 2024.

(ii) Anganwadis as the Foundation of Early Education

Anganwadis serve as a vital player in providing early childhood education, ensuring access to nutrition, vaccinations, and health services.
Regions with substantial Anganwadi enrollment have achieved better foundational learning results.

(iii) Digital Literacy Among Rural Teenagers

Over 90% of rural teenagers now possess smartphone access.
They exhibit confidence in locating educational material online and understanding digital safety practices.

(iv) School Infrastructure Improvements

Notable enhancements in sanitation, hygiene, and classroom conditions since the pandemic.
Improved infrastructure has led to increased student attendance and participation.

(v) Achievements in Double-Engine Growth States

Uttar Pradesh: Significant gains in literacy and reading skills over the past twenty years.
Madhya Pradesh: Gradual progress in numeracy and literacy, with 90% of schools obtaining electricity.
Gujarat: Continued strong performance in foundational education.

Conclusion

The NEP 2020 has facilitated India in achieving remarkable progress in educational access and inclusivity. The upcoming five years will be pivotal in maintaining this momentum, influencing the nation's course for the following twenty-five years. The dedicated efforts to retain children in schools, elevate foundational learning, and upgrade digital and physical infrastructure highlight the success of focused policy execution. The NEP 2020 and NIPUN Bharat Mission represent more than education reforms; they are strategic investments in bolstering India’s human capital competitiveness for Viksit Bharat @2047. By closing learning gaps and promoting inclusivity, India is cultivating a knowledge-based, globally competitive society that ensures equitable growth and advancement for all.