Is NEP 2020 reforming training or reinforcing central management?
5 years after its launch, the Nationwide Schooling Coverage (NEP) 2020 is without delay reworking lecture rooms and igniting a political standoff. Whereas foundational studying outcomes have proven historic features and enrolment has surged throughout marginalised teams, the coverage’s implementation has additionally triggered accusations of centralisation and ideological overreach—significantly from opposition-ruled states. At stake will not be solely the way forward for India’s training system, however the very stability of energy in a federal construction underneath stress.
Foundational features on paper, and in apply
On the major degree, NEP 2020 has catalysed notable enhancements in studying outcomes. ASER 2024 reported that 23.4% of Class III college students in authorities faculties can now learn a Grade II-level textual content, up from 16.3% in 2022—the very best since 2005. Arithmetic expertise have additionally improved, with 27.6% of scholars capable of do primary subtraction, in comparison with 20.2% two years prior.The rollout of the NIPUN Bharat Mission, the 12-week Vidya Pravesh programme, and the distribution of ‘Jaadui Pitara’ kits in 22 Indian languages have supported these enhancements. Over 14 lakh academics have been skilled underneath the Nishtha foundational programme, marking one of many largest trainer improvement efforts lately.Nonetheless, at the same time as rural college students now outperform city friends, simply half of presidency and aided faculties provide preschool, revealing a systemic lag in infrastructure and entry.
Larger training entry expands, however structural gaps persist
In larger training, gross enrolment rose from 3.42 crore in 2014-15 to 4.46 crore in 2022-23—a 30.5% bounce. Feminine enrolment elevated by 38.4%, and PhD enrolment amongst ladies greater than doubled. Enrolment amongst SC, ST, minority, and Northeastern college students noticed file progress, elevating hopes for a extra equitable educational future.Initiatives just like the Educational Financial institution of Credit score (ABC)—with over 32 crore IDs generated—and the biannual admission cycle promise higher flexibility. But uptake stays minimal: simply 31,000 undergraduates and 5,500 postgraduates have used the a number of entry-exit system. Even with Rs 100 crore every given to 35 establishments to turn into multidisciplinary, most stay in transition, weighed down by outdated curricula, inflexible administrative frameworks, and school shortages.
The language of coverage—or coverage of language?
Regardless of measurable progress, the NEP has run into political headwinds. States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal have opposed what they describe as an over-centralised, one-language-fits-all method. The rollout of a nationwide curriculum framework, the promotion of Hindi and Sanskrit, and the centralised design of assessments (like PARAKH) have been learn as signs of deeper makes an attempt to recentralise management over training—an space constitutionally shared between the Centre and states.For these governments, the query will not be whether or not reform is required, however who controls the path of that reform. Their pushback is much less about pedagogy and extra about constitutional autonomy.
Federalism underneath pressure
The NEP’s top-down execution has uncovered a widening rift between the Union authorities’s imaginative and prescient and state governments’ autonomy. With training on the Concurrent Record, any main reform ideally requires collaborative federalism. As an alternative, critics argue, NEP 2020 has been operationalised by way of coverage devices, funding buildings, and curricular frameworks that scale back states to implementers quite than companions.Some educationists warn that this mannequin may create a two-speed training system—the place compliance ensures funding and dissent results in marginalisation, significantly in politically non-aligned states.
Reform or reinvention of management?
The central dilemma surrounding NEP 2020 will not be about whether or not its targets are fascinating, however whether or not its execution honours the variety and decentralisation embedded in India’s academic historical past.Whereas the coverage has undeniably set in movement long-needed modifications—from early childhood integration to higher inclusion in larger training—its supply mannequin has raised questions on uniformity trumping native context, and reform being equated with central authority.Because the Centre pushes forward with additional implementation and state resistance hardens, NEP 2020 could also be remembered not simply as an training reform, however as a check case for Indian federalism.
