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India Today
29-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Five years on, has NEP delivered what it promised?
Five years ago, India promised a revolution in education. But in 2025, are students, teachers and schools better off or just more confused?When the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was launched, it was hailed as a landmark moment in India's post-independence education history. With promises of sweeping reforms from foundational literacy to flexible college degrees the NEP aimed to make India's education system more inclusive, modern, and aligned with 21st-century five years later, the results are mixed, the implementation patchy, and the impact WAS PROMISED IN 2020At its heart, the NEP aimed to overhaul every level of learning. Among its key promises were:Universal foundational literacy and numeracy by 2025More inclusive, play-based learning in early years (age 3–8)Mother tongue/regional language as medium of instruction till Grade 5New school structure: 5+3+3+4 instead of 10+2Reduced syllabus burden and focus on critical thinkingVocational training from Grade 6National Assessment Centre (PARAKH) to revamp board examsHigher Education Commission to replace UGC and AICTEMultiple exit options and academic credit bank in collegesPublic education spending to increase to 6% of GDPThe vision was clear. The ground reality? Far more YEARS LATER: WHERE ARE WE REALLY?Despite the tall promises, only 16 out of 28 states and 8 UTs have partially implemented the NEP as of Literacy Mission (FLN)Target: 100% Grade 3 literacy by 2025Reality: Only 48% of Class 3 students in government schools met age-appropriate reading levels in ASER 2024Education SpendingNEP Target: 6% of GDPActual: 2.9% in 2024-25, per Union Budget analysisMultilingual EducationNEP pushed mother tongue till Class 5Result: English-medium pressure remains high in cities; rural schools report teacher shortages for regional language teachingHigher Education4-Year UG Programs: Implemented in 356 universitiesAcademic Credit Bank: Introduced, but usage remains under 12% of college studentsDropout Rates: Still high—nearly 17% at UG level (AISHE 2023)INSIDE CLASSROOMS: TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS SPEAK'We got new books, but no training.'Many government school teachers say they've been handed new curricula without adequate support.'They told us to make learning 'play-based' for Class 1, but didn't train us or give enough teaching materials,' says a government primary teacher in Uttar tribal belts of Odisha and Jharkhand, teachers struggle to switch to local dialects as mandated, citing lack of bilingual textbooks and trained COURSES? STILL ON PAPERNEP's promise of 'bagless days' and vocational exploration in middle school has barely taken off. Most schools either don't offer these courses or club them into activity periods with no practical STUDENTS, MORE FLEXIBILITY OR MORE CONFUSION?While NEP intended to reduce pressure on students and give them more choice, in many cases it has added layers of split term system was rolled back after confusionGrading systems changed but lack of uniformity across boards remainsCareer counseling remains rare in most schools'My daughter had to choose new subjects in Class 9, but we had no idea what those changes meant for competitive exams,' says a parent from URBAN-RURAL DIVIDE IS WIDENINGUrban private schools have adopted parts of NEP, often branding them as 'progressive learning.'advertisementMeanwhile, rural schools still face digital gaps, shortage of subject teachers, and limited many low-income schools, NEP implementation is more of a document than a THE EXPERTS SAYDr. Anuradha Joshi, Education Policy Analyst: 'The NEP was visionary, but without financial and structural support, it risks becoming another lost opportunity.'R. Chidambaram, Principal of a Chennai-based school chain: 'The flexibility in subject choices is good but parents and students need much more guidance.'SO, WHO HAS BENEFITTED?Private ed-tech firms and publishers have boomed, offering 'NEP-aligned' state boards like Karnataka and Maharashtra have been more in elite schools may see some real benefit—critical thinking, coding, and new subjects are more for the majority of students in India's 15 lakh government schools, the NEP remains a work in progress, not a India marches toward its NEP 2030 goals of universal secondary education, full GER in higher ed, and global competitiveness, the road will depend on:More funding, especially for teacher training and rural infrastructureStronger centre-state coordinationTransparent, nationwide progress trackingClear communication with parents and studentsFive years after it began, the NEP 2020 stands at a crossroads. It promised a leap forward for Indian education. What it needs now is not just ambition—but accountability, funding, and honest for the next generation of Indian learners, half-reforms are not enough.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Reading's many merits highlighted at celebration
Letters should be turned into weapons of knowledge, Alappuzha district panchayat president K.G. Rajeshwari has said. Inaugurating the district-level celebration of Reading Day and Reading Week observance at S.N. College, Cherthala, on Thursday, Ms. Rajeshwari said that reading opens up a new world to the reader. 'Reading is essential to becoming a better human being. This is a time when choices related to knowledge are of great importance. If we choose the right books, we can become responsible citizens,' she said while recalling how reading had transformed her own life. She urged the younger generation to understand the value of reading and to read at least one book every month. Govt. projects Ms. Rajeshwari said the State government had launched projects to promote reading and education. 'Through the Literacy Mission, many people have stepped into the world of education. Similarly, institutions like the Kudumbashree Mission have helped bring to light the hidden creative talents of many women. While there are concerns that the younger generation is drifting away from the world of reading, the recent acceptance and appreciation received by the works of young writers like Akhil P. Dharmajan offer much hope,' she added. V.T.'s case Writer K. Rekha, who was the chief guest at the function, said that reading not only enhances linguistic abilities but also fosters scientific awareness, and that language plays a crucial role in shaping human character. 'There is no age limit for reading. It was in his thirties that V.T. Bhattathiripad entered the world of letters. The insights he gained from reading helped rewrite the destiny of an entire society,' she said. Interacting with the audience, the writer emphasised that the Malayalam language was not dying. She, however, pointed out that the overuse of mobile phones and social media was distancing the younger generation from reading books. Kanjikuzhy block panchayat president V.G. Mohanan presided. Additional District Magistrate Asha C. Abraham, S.N. College, Cherthala Principal T.P. Bindu and others attended the function.
