The union ministry of education has launched a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF-2023) for school education in line with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). 

In addition to introducing a second board exam, this NCF-2023, which was announced on Aug 23, will change how India’s students go to school.

Prepared by the union ministry of education, NEP aims to overhaul India’s 36-year-old education policies.

Goodbye 10+2, Hello 5+3+3+4 

Under the New Education Policy (NEP), a 5 +3+3+4 format is replacing the 10+2 school format. A new set of textbooks will be developed for the 2024 academic session considering the changes. 

The first five years of schooling will now consist of three years of pre-primary school and the foundation stage, including Class 1 and Class 2. The focus in these years would be on play- and activity-based learning, including the development of language skills.

The next three years, Classes 3 through 5, will form the preparatory phase, where the learning will focus on further improving language skills, reading, writing, and speaking. The numeracy skills will also be in focus, combined with physical education and classroom interaction.

Middle School (Classes 6 through 8) will focus on critical learning, experiential science, humanities, arts, mathematics, social sciences, etc.

Classes 9 through 12, or Secondary School, will see students choose from an array of multidisciplinary courses aimed at developing critical thinking across subjects. Apart from this, Arts, Commerce, and Science streams will not be strictly followed in schools.

Students in Classes 11 and 12 are expected to learn two languages, including at least one Indian language.

More choice for students

Under NCF-2023, the academic year is now being split into semesters.

Students of Classes 9 and 10–as well as those of Classes 11 and 12–will choose 16 courses or papers for the combined two years. Eight of these papers are to be cleared each year to be eligible for a certificate. This means that a Class 9 (or Class 11) student would choose 16 courses across disciplines and clear half of them while in Class 9 (or Class 11, as the case may be). The remaining eight papers will have to be cleared in Class 10 (or Class 12) in order to achieve a board certificate.  

Two board exams

In another interesting move, students will give board exams twice in the same year, and be allowed to keep the better of the two scores. 

To this end, school boards have been directed to develop the capacity to conduct “on-demand” examinations at appropriate times.

Other changes with NCF in uniforms, assembly, and seating arrangements

NCF-2023 also addresses issues such as classroom seating, school assemblies, uniforms, language, and cultural integration within the education system.

For example, it suggests circular or semi-circular classroom seating, gender-neutral uniforms suited to the local climate, and meaningful rather than ritualistic and mechanical assemblies.

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