Education Policy of Karnataka | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

Introduction

The education system in schools across India is set to undergo changes with the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which will replace the 1986 NEP. This marks the third NEP in India. The policy provides a general framework for educational institutions, but state governments are not required to adhere to the guidelines. Education is a concurrent subject, meaning both the central and state governments have the authority to create laws on it. The central government aims to fully implement the policy by 2040.

Overview of National Education Policy Changes

Here are some key points of the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP):

• Single Regulator for Higher Education: The NEP proposes replacing AICTE, NCTE, and UGC with the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), which will act as a single regulator for all higher education, except for medical and legal studies. Both private and public higher education institutions will be subject to the same academic, regulatory, and accreditation standards.
• New School Curriculum Structure: The traditional 10+2 school system will be replaced with a 5+3+3+4 structure, which includes three years of pre-school. This new structure covers 12 years of schooling from ages 3 to 18, divided into foundational (3-8 years), preparatory (8-11 years), middle (11-14 years), and secondary stages (14-18 years).
• Reformed Board Exams: The NEP aims to reform board exams to focus more on critical thinking and experiential learning rather than rote memorization. Exams may be offered in a modular format and conducted twice a year, including both objective and subjective assessments.
• Flexible Graduation Pathways: Undergraduate programs will now span four years. Students can earn a certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, and a bachelor's degree after three years. Those who complete the four-year program will be better prepared for research degrees. Master's degrees remain unchanged, but students with a four-year undergraduate degree can directly enter research programs.
• No Strict Stream Divisions: The NEP removes rigid distinctions between streams like Arts, Commerce, and Science. Vocational education will be given equal importance to academic streams, and vocational training will start from class 6, including internships. There will also be no clear separation between curricular and extra-curricular activities.
• Multidisciplinary Education: Single-stream institutions will gradually be phased out in favor of multidisciplinary universities that offer a broader education. The system of affiliated colleges will also be discontinued within the next 15 years, with a common entrance exam for universities.
• Phasing Out MPhil Programs: MPhil programs, traditionally a bridge between a Master’s degree and a Ph.D., will be phased out. Students with a Master's degree will be able to directly enter Ph.D. programs.
• Mother Tongue as Medium of Instruction: The NEP suggests using the mother tongue or regional languages as the medium of instruction up to at least class 5, and ideally class 8. For higher grades, the mother tongue or local language can be taught as a language subject. The policy also supports a bilingual approach for students in multilingual families and encourages offering Sanskrit at all levels.
• Opening Higher Education to International Players: The NEP allows some of the top 100 global universities to establish campuses in India. Currently, foreign universities can only collaborate with Indian institutions by sharing faculty and participating in twinning programs. Indian universities will also be encouraged to set up campuses abroad.

Overview of National Education Policy 2020

• All subjects will be offered at two levels of proficiency and students will be free to choose subjects across streams
• Students to have 10 bag-less days in school each year where they may participate in a vocation of their choice
• Fees charged by private higher educational institutions may be capped.
• National mission to focus on basic literacy and numeracy
• Academic Bank of Credits system to be set up for undergraduate and graduate students
• A National Book Promotion Policy to be set up to promote libraries
• Report cards to be redesigned to mention not only marks but notes on the student's overall growth.

The 2020 NEP arrives 34 years after the previous policy and is focused on making education accessible from pre-school to secondary level. Its goal is to transform India into a "global knowledge superpower." However, it remains to be seen how and if states will implement these guidelines.

Implementation of National Education Policy in Karnataka

• The National Education Policy 2020, aimed at universalizing education from pre-school to secondary levels and making India a global knowledge superpower, was approved by the Government of India in July 2020.
• Karnataka has taken significant strides in implementing the NEP, becoming the first state to adopt the policy. The implementation began in August 2021, with admissions starting from August 23rd.
• To facilitate the implementation, Karnataka established the NEP Task Force in March 2020. The state successfully trialed the policy in 270 polytechnic colleges across the region.

NEP Awareness

• Higher Education Academy-Dharwad will conduct a one-day workshop for government and aided college teachers to educate them about the National Education Policy (NEP).
• Live YouTube sessions, phone-ins, and talks by education experts will be organized to raise awareness about the NEP.
• Universities will host NEP workshops and colleges will conduct weekly orientation programs for teachers, students, and parents.
• A NEP Helpline (080 24486666) will provide clarifications regarding the policy.

NEP Implementation in Higher Education

• Under the NEP, students entering higher education can choose two subjects within their field and an elective from any discipline for each of the four semesters.
• Students will have the flexibility of multiple entry and exit points, receiving a certificate after the first year, a diploma after the second year, a degree after the third year, and an honors degree after completing four years of study.
• Transfer between colleges/universities at the same level will be allowed with credit transfer options.
• Career guidance and mandatory personality development classes from Class 8 onwards will be provided to students.

Digitization of Education in Karnataka

• Students have the opportunity to earn 40% credits by participating in authorized online courses. This initiative aligns with the government's push towards digital education.
• Every village in Karnataka will be connected to the internet, facilitating greater access to educational resources. Additionally, first-year degree students will receive tablet PCs to aid in their studies.
• The state is set to introduce a Learning Management System (LMS) to transform traditional classrooms into smart classrooms equipped with internet connectivity.

Diploma Level Twinning Programs

• The Department of Technical Education (DTE) in Karnataka has partnered with Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) and Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) in the United States.
• This collaboration aims to offer twinning programs that combine diplomas with associate degree programs in fields such as travel and tourism as well as cybersecurity.