National Education Policy 2020: Less stress on boards, common college entrance test in sweeping education reforms

NEW DELHI: In sweeping “toddler to college” reforms, seen as the most ambitious since the introduction of the 10+2+3 system, the government on Wednesday unveiled the new National Education Policy that restructures school education by setting out age 3-6 years as pre-school, de-emphasises “high stakes” boards, introduces a SAT-like university entrance test and offers the option of a four-year bachelor’s degree at the undergraduate level.

The changes in the board structure, which seek to make the exams a test of “core competencies”, will be implemented from the 2021 academic session. The new university entrance test will be implemented for college admissions in the 2022 academic session. NEP aims to provide students with increased flexibility and subjects and there will be no rigid separation between arts and sciences, curricular and extra-curricular activities, etc, the government said.

Emphasis on vernacular medium

Announcing the reforms, HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and I&B minister Prakash Jav