EDUCATION POLICY OF

INDIA: EVOLUTION
• National Policy on Education (NPE) of 1968
• NPE 1986 and its Program of Action in 1992
• National Education Policy 2020, which replaced the 1986 policy.
• The first Commission to be appointed in independent India was the
University Education Commission of 1948, under the chairmanship of Dr. S.
Radhakrishnan, to report on the status of Indian university education and
suggest improvements and extensions to suit the present and future
requirements of the country
• The Secondary Education Commission was set up under the chairmanship
of Dr. A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar in 1952. It suggested diversification of
high school courses and the establishment of multipurpose high schools,
introducing a uniform pattern throughout India, recommended the setting
up of technical schools, promoting women’s education in India
• Appointment of the Indian Education Commission under the chairmanship
of D. S. Kothari. Popularly known as the Kothari Commission (1964-66). In
accordance with the recommendations of this Commission that the
National Educational Policy of 1968 was formulated
National Policy on Education (1968)
• Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
• Aimed at the total reformation of education, promoting harmony and
integration across all sections of society.
• Provision of compulsory education for children in the 6-14 years age
group (as proposed in the Indian Constitution).
• Encouragement of regional languages for use in secondary schools.
• English recommended as the medium of instruction, while Hindi was
considered the national language.
• Promotion of Sanskrit to preserve India’s cultural heritage.
• Suggested that the Government of India spend 6% of national income
on education.
Criticism:
• The three-language formula was criticized as being imposed on
students without their interest.
• The policy was seen as vague and lacking clarity on how to implement
its guidelines.
But
• Despite criticisms, it was the first systematic effort to provide
direction to the educational system in independent India.
• The three-language formula was viewed as a step towards national
integration and improving education among minorities.
Draft National Policy on Education (1979)
• Enhancing both knowledge and academic skills of individuals.
• Building awareness of morals and ethics among students to help them
develop a good personality and become worthy citizens.
• Emphasis on reinforcing constitutional values through education.
• Focus on national integration through the education system.
• The policy called for transforming the current education system to meet the
contemporary needs of the Indian people.
• The education system must be flexible and responsive to different conditions.
• Encouraged collaboration between educational institutions and communities
to work together and support each other.
• Faced delays in approval due to the change in the political landscape. The
Janata Party government, which had initially supported the draft, was
replaced by the Congress Party in 1980.
National Policy on Education (1986)
• Rajiv Gandhi introduced a new National Policy on Education. Revised
version of the 1979 draft.
Goals:
• Universalization of Elementary Education
• Equality of Opportunity
• Improvement in Quality
• Better teacher training
• Curriculum reform
• Improved learning materials
Key Initiatives:
• 10 + 2 + 3 Educational Structure
• Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
• Operation Blackboard
• Navodaya Vidyalayas
• Emphasis on Vocationalization
• Open University System
• Adult and Continuing Education
Equality of Opportunity: Access to education for all, regardless of
gender, social background, or caste. Special focus on education for girls,
SCs, STs, and OBCs
1. Access to Education:
• The concept of a National system of education implies that all students
irrespective of caste, creed, location, or gender have access to education
of comparable quality.
2. Common Education Structure
• 10+2+3 has been accepted in all parts of the country.
• Efforts will be made to move towards the elementary system comprising
5 years of primary and 3 years of Upper Primary, and 2 years of high
school education.
3. National Curriculum framework with a common core
• The common core will include the history of India’s freedom movement,
the constitutional obligations, and other contents, which are important
to nurturing National identity
4. Vocationalization of Education
• Vocational courses of various types should minimize the unemployment
problem because the educated person will be able to use the required
skills for earning his livelihood
5. Reforms in the examination system
• Grades should be given in place of division to avoid frustration and
anxiety in students.
• Periodical tests
• The teacher should be solely responsible for evaluating the merits of
his/her students.
6. Education for the weaker section of society
• Education of SC/ST/differently-abled persons and girls - reservation for
such a person was allotted in various types of educational institutions.
7. Operation blackboard
• Minimum facilities will be provided to the primary school. For eg. 2
rooms, chart, maps, a blackboard, carpet, etc. In the operation
blackboard, the cooperation of voluntary organizations and local bodies
will be included.
8. Establishing many Navodaya Schools
• Students will be admitted to class VI based on the admission test.
• Ratio between the boys and girls, urban and rural students will be taken
into consideration. Residential school
9. District Institute of Education Training (DIET) and District Board Education
(DBE).
• Members of these institutes will survey the educational needs of the area and
inform the concerned education officers about the same from time to time.
10. Modernization of Education
• Computer education will be employed in the expansion of literacy, the utility of
correspondence courses, television, radio, and satellite, video assessed videos,
were accepted in the development of education.
11. Education on women’s equality
• Education will be used as an agent of basic changes in the status of women.
• The removal of women’s illiteracy will receive priority through the provision of
special support services.
• Women’s participation in vocational-technical and professional education at
different levels.
Programme of Action (POA)-1992
• In May 1990, a committee was set up under the chairmanship of
Acharya Rammurti to review the existing National Policy of Education
(NPE)-1986 and make recommendations for its modifications.
• In July 1991, CABE (Central Advisory Board of Education) was set up
under the chairmanship of N.Janardan Reddy, Chief Minister of
Andhra Pradesh
• Based on the Reports of Rammurti and Janardan Reddy, the Govt. of
India’s Chances in the NPE-1986, which is known as the Revised
National Policy of Education 1986 (PoA-1992)
Modifications:
• The educational structure 10+2+3 has been accepted across the
country.
• More emphasis is given to the overall literacy campaign. It covers
school children as well as adults.
• National Literacy mission to be linked with poverty prevention
• Educational institutions of national importance will be strengthened.
Such as UGC, NCTE, AICTE etc
• Emphasis on Vocational and Skilled Training Program. Those students
who are unable to pursue higher education can earn their livelihood.
• The operation Blackboard programme should be extended to Upper
Primary Level. At least 3 classrooms and 3 teachers and basic teaching
learning materials like charts, Aids etc
• Target of this policy by 1995, 10% of the total students are getting
secondary education and by 2000, 25% of the students should get
vocational education.
• More Navodaya Vidyalaya should be set up across the country. The
Navodaya School are largely intended to cater the rural talented
children (75% of seats are reserved with reservation for SC and ST )
• In the revised policy, an Autonomous commission should be
appointed for rapid progress and improvement in Higher Education
• In future 50% of Primary School teachers should be appointed to
Women
• To achieve the goal of Free and Compulsory education till 2000, a
National Mission will be established
• Secondary education for SC, ST, Weaker classes and Girls
• National Evaluation Association for Examination reforms
• It is stated that more than 6% of the National Income is declared to
be spent on Education
Assignment topics:
1. Analyzing the Impact of NEP 2020 on the Indian Education System:
A Comparative Study
• Evaluate how the reforms introduced in NEP 2020 differ from
previous education policies in India. Analyze key aspects like
curriculum restructuring, integration of technology, and focus on early
childhood care.
• Propose a viable strategy for a school or university to implement key
aspects of the NEP 2020.
2. Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009.
Examine how the act impacted on private schools.
• Critically assess the successes and limitations of the RTE Act 2009 in
ensuring free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14.
• Examine the implications of the RTE Act on private schools, especially
in terms of admissions, infrastructure, and quality of education.
3. Public Expenditure on Education in India: Assessing the Adequacy
and Efficiency of Allocations
• Evaluate the adequacy of public spending on education in India based
on the percentage of GDP allocated. Analyze the impact of these
allocations on the quality of education in rural vs urban areas.
• Suggest budgetary reforms to increase the efficiency of public
expenditure on education in India.
4. Integrating Early Childhood Education in the National Education
Policy 2020: A Critical Evaluation
• Examine the role of early childhood education as outlined in NEP
2020 and its potential long-term impact on children’s learning
outcomes.
• Evaluate the feasibility of implementing early childhood education
policies in diverse contexts, such as urban and rural India.