October 21, 2022, New Delhi – NEP 2020 – The Government of India has launched the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2022, which includes curriculum changes for pre-primary children aged between 3 and 8 years.
This is the first time that the National Curriculum Framework has been designed for children in the foundational stage.
The Union Education Minister, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan has decided to introduce changes by including children of the age group of 3 to 8 years into the formal schooling system.
He has also launched ‘Balvatika’ classes at 50 Kendriya Vidyalaya to implement these changes.
NEP 2020 – Key Features and Purpose of NCF 2022
- The National curriculum framework (NCF) is focused on including the children in the foundational stage to bring them into the formal pre-primary education system.
- According to the proposals in National Education Policy 2020, the Government of India has focused on redesigning the curriculum for children aged between 3 and 8 years to provide a holistic learning system.
- Previously, the ‘Anganwadi’ system was introduced to focus on the health and nutrition of a child. The government has now decided to include the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for children aged between 3 to 8 years in different schools as they are the most efficient in learning new things at this age.
- The Government of India has aimed at providing a futuristic approach to design the curriculum for the foundational stage of the children. This is considered to be the most important aspect of NCF.
NEP 2020 – Background
- The National Education Policy is a framework that aims to guide, regulate and promote educational development in India.
- Under this educational policy, all the stages of education, namely, early childhood care and education, school education, higher education, and teacher education are included.
- The latest National Education Policy in India is NEP 2020. It was first formulated in 1968 and further modified in 1992.
- The government has proposed a total revision and revamping of the education structure in the latest version of NEP 2020. It was released on July 29, 2020.
- The primary objective of the policy is to create an education system with equal rights of access to higher education for all learners irrespective of economic or social background.
- The Government of India has planned to regulate the changes by 2040.
NEP 2020 – The Four Stages in NFC 2022
The four sections of NCF 2022 are as follows:
- National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE)
- National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCFECCE)
- National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education (NCFTE)
- National Curriculum Framework for Adult Education (NCFAE)
NEP 2020 – The Five Concepts of Panchakosha in NFC 2022
In the new framework of the national curriculum, the concept of Panchakosha for the education of children in the foundational stage has been introduced. The five concepts are:
- Physical development (Sharirik Vikas)
- Emotional and mental development (Manasik Vikas)
- Development of life energy (Pranik Vikas)
- Intellectual development (Bauddhik Vikas)
- Spiritual development (Chaitsik Vikas)
NEP 2020 – Balvatika Classes
- The Ministry of Union Education has mentioned that pre-primary classes will be included in the formal schooling system.
- Balvatika or preparatory classes will help in implementing the formal schooling system in primary schools.
- Balvatika classes are for the children/students up to the age of 5 years.
- The pedagogy of Balvatika is already recommended by National Education Policy 2020.
- Several play schools have been launched in 50 Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV). These play schools will be operated as per the recommendations of the NEP.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When was the NEP first launched?
The National Education Policy, or NEP, was first drafted in 2020.
What are Balvatika classes?
Balvatika are preparatory classes for children who are under 5 years of age. These classes provide them with an activity-based learning environment.
How many primary schools have introduced Balvatika classes?
At present, Balvatika classes have been introduced in 50 Kendriya Vidyalaya. The government is planning to introduce Balvatika in more than 4,000 primary schools in the future.
