Page 30 - Kashmir and National Education Policy by Dr. Amarpreet Kour

KASHMIR & NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020 || DR. AMARPREET KOUR

pedagogy and curriculum while introducing innovative features like
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and vocational education.

One of NEP 2020’s notable contributions is its emphasis on a skill-
based, multidisciplinary approach that ensures students are not just
educated but employable in a fast-changing world. By focusing on
conceptual and critical thinking alongside game-based and experiential
learning, the policy aims to make students future-ready. It adopts the
5+3+3+4 pedagogical structure, replacing the traditional 10+2 model.
This structure introduces play-based learning in the mother tongue
at the foundational stage, prioritizes student interests and the national
language at the preparatory stage, and offers a wider choice of subjects
and a semester-based grading system at the secondary level, reducing
stress and enhancing flexibility.

Inclusive education has also been prioritized, ensuring SC/ST and
specially-abled students are treated as equals to general-category
learners. NEP 2020 also emphasizes the holistic development of
students by integrating vocational and non-vocational streams while
bridging divides such as rich and poor or science and arts. The policy
advocates for inclusivity and flexibility to ensure equitable learning
opportunities for all students. Teachers are encouraged to set SMART
target (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely goals)
ensuring that educational objectives are realistic and progress is
trackable. Without clear targets, achieving the policy’s broader goals
becomes challenging. However, challenges persist in the implementation
of NEP 2020, particularly in remote and rural areas. These challenges
include inadequate teacher training, poor ICT infrastructure, and a lack
of support for traditional trades and skill tools. Targeted strategies,
such as revisiting policies, addressing uneven teacher distribution, and
improving infrastructure, are essential for success.

The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted issues like online
education accessibility, which NEP 2020 aims to resolve through digital
education initiatives. Accountability, particularly at the foundational
level, is critical to achieving the policy’s ambitious goals. Teachers
remain the cornerstone of NEP 2020’s success. To ensure effective
implementation, teacher training must be prioritized, especially at the
foundational and lower levels. Collaborative engagement among teachers
from diverse disciplines is essential to shift traditional teaching models
to more modern and inclusive approaches. If implemented effectively,

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