A Review of New Education Policy 2020 with
reference to language education and the areas of its focus while transacting
the English course book (SCERT)
Introduction
The National
Education Policy (NEP), first formulated in 1986, underwent
successive revisions in 1992
and 1998. The
new National Education Policy 2020 is a welcome measure toward rebuilding the
education system in the country. It is a brave and ambitious policy that
strives to bring about a rational transformation of the education system over
the coming decade.
The New
National Education Policy (NEP) was released by the Ministry of Human
Resource Development (MHRD), under the guidance of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The
New Education Policy (NEP 2020)was
released on 29th
July 2020, after
it was approved by the Union Cabinet. The New National Education Policy
replaces the 34-year-old National Education Policy (NEP) that was formulated in
1986. It tries to bring about histrionic changes to its education system to become a global power. The
new system, which is about to be implemented, emphasizes online learning, more
school hours, and a shift away from rote learning.
The policy
aims to transform the education system in India and make it at par with
international standards. It also emphasizes providing quality education to all,
regardless of their socio-economic background. This is a significant step
forward for India’s education system. It will bring about massive reform and
change in the country and its people. The New National Education Policy (NEP
2020) is a set of guidelines and recommendations issued by the
Government of India to reform and improve the country’s education system.
The New
National Education Policy aims to make India a global authority in education by
enhancing access, equity, and quality of education at all levels, from early
childhood education to higher education and vocational training. The NEP 2020
also emphasizes the importance of developing 21st-century skills such as
critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving in all students. To achieve
these goals, the NEP advises several changes to the education system, including
the introduction of a new National Curriculum Framework, the establishment of a
new National Education Commission, and the setting up of a new National Testing
Agency.
English Language
Education According to NEP 2020
It seems that the Indian policymakers have taken
into heart the words of the actor, Nawazuddin Siddhiqui that “English is a
language; it is not a test of your intelligence” which is reflected in the new
policy. If we keep the politics aside, it has been found that it is harmful to
primary school children to be instructed in a language that is alien to them. Educationists
and linguists all over the world assert that children learn most effectively in
their home language. Thus, it can be asserted that the National Education
Policy (NEP), 2020, is doing justice to the people of India by mandating home
language as the medium of instruction in primary school
Despite the fact that India has 121 official languages, English is recognised as the language that unites all countries. In the event of interstate migration, it also makes it possible for education to continue.
Numerous migrant children’s
inferior educational attainment compared to their peers has been repeatedly demonstrated over time.
Since these migrations were not very severe
the new policy did not prioritise this issue when thinking about English language instruction.
It is better to let the
children be schooled in their home language, and once they have developed
literacy skills in their familiar language, they could be given bridge courses,
to promote learning a new language. Children are better off at a young age
being schooled in their home language. Due to the demand for English in the
labor market, such a bridge course, if executed, would aid students in their
transition to English medium instruction.
The significance of English as a medium of instruction in higher grades
has been clearly depicted in the NEP 2020. So it is better to teach English as
a second subject or as the medium of instruction from the preschool itself since
learning languages is a lot easier at a young age. As English is a foreign
language, it requires special strategies for teaching unlike in the teaching of
home languages. In lower grades,
students can be given more time to develop language skills, whereas it may be
difficult to learn English language in the middle grades, as more attention is
to be given to other subjects.
Whether English is taught as a second language or used as the medium of
instruction, it always remains a foreign language in our country. It is always
the best option to let the students adapt to learning languages at a young age.As
a result, starting English instruction in preschool will be the best course of
action because young children are better suited to learning languages than teenagers
are. The practice of teaching English as a second language will now move into a
new phase by being made simpler and more approachable for students, including
those as young as pre-schoolers. The children would be able to switch to
English in higher grades if more emphasis were placed on comprehension and
communication skills in English.
The three-language formula will continue to be used while taking into
account the provisions of the Constitution, the aspirations of the people,
regions, and the Union, as well as the need to promote both national unity and
multilingualism.
The three-language formula will, however, have more flexibility, and no
State will have a language imposed upon it.As long as at least two of the three
languages are indigenous to India, the three languages that children study will
be determined by the States, regions, and students themselves.
Specifically, students who choose to switch one or more of the three
languages they are studying may do so in Grades 6 or 7, provided they can show
that they have a foundational understanding of three languages (including one
language of India at the literature level) by the end of secondary school.
For science and mathematics, every effort will be made to provide
bilingual textbooks and teaching-learning materials of the highest caliber,
allowing students to think and speak about the two topics both in their mother
tongue and in English.
By incorporating the cultural facets of the languages, such as films,
theatre, storytelling, poetry, and music, and by making connections with
various pertinent topics and real-world experiences, the teaching of all
languages will be improved through innovative and experiential methods, including
gamification and apps. As a result, experiential learning methodology will also
be used in language instruction.
English course books (SCERT) can be made more attractive by
incorporating art. “Language and art can complement and help each other. When a
concept is not clear in its written form, the visual form can help the student
to understand it. On the other hand, when the visual form is confusing and
unclear, the written form can facilitate its understanding.”(Brunetti)For
instance, most teenagers have a hard time learning a second language. They are
attempting to adjust not only to a new language but also to themselves and a
novel environment. Art has always been a powerful teaching and learning tool
for individuals of all social backgrounds. In conjunction with reading,
writing, speaking, and listening, the study of art can encourage children to
engage in in-depth analysis as well as to investigate their environment in
order to develop advanced knowledge and communication skills. It's fun to
introduce students to the arts as part of authentic learning. A change of pace
is provided by using art. While many instructors utilize pictures to introduce
a subject or piece of language, the picture might also be an artistic creation,
which would engage students on a completely different level. The texts book can
include more visual images and art oriented activities which would enhance
language learning to a great extent.
Apart from this, the textbooks can incorporate literature from diverse
cultures, both Indian and western. Students genuinely learn a new way of life
or culture by studying a work of art. In order to minimize ambiguity in
understanding, it is absolutely vital to understand other cultures. Students
who have a better understanding of cultures become more accustomed to the
language and experience less culture shock.
.If necessary, preschool
textbooks can be made bilingual to aid pupils in understanding both languages.
Since the kids are very familiar with their native language, learning a new
language from one that they are already familiar with will be more comfortable
for them.
Conclusion
Even while the NEP 2020 may have a few flaws,
it is a ground-breaking programme that, once implemented and the gaps are
closed, will unquestionably change India's educational system. NEP 2020 is more
adaptable, innovative, and productive overall. The policy has considered the
potential for integrating India's whole child population into the educational
system. The permission granted to the requiring states to teach pupils in their
mother tongues or regional languages will go a long way toward addressing every
societal division. The adoption of NEP-2020 with the States' ability to pick
the medium of instruction starting in preschool will help achieve SDG Goal 4
because English is a pan-Indian language. The focus should shift from
"what to think" to "how to think," as the prime minister
said.
Reference s
National
Education Policy 2020.Ministry of Human Resource Development.Government of
India.
Brunetti,
Katia. Language Teaching through Art. Aug 15,2020.https://katiabrunetti2.medium.com/language-teaching-through-art-1e3e7a077d37
Paliath,
Gayathri and Dr.RajiDhinakar. Scope Of English Language Teaching In National
Education Policy 2020. xIlkogretim Online - Elementary Education Online,2021;
Vol 20 (Issue 5): pp.2447-2450http://ilkogretim-online.org/
National New
Education Policy 2022: NEP 5+3+3+4 Structure. iShiksha Editor. Ishiksha. July
31,2022.https://ishiksha.net/new-education-policy/
-Submitted by Ms.Aardra
AP.
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