The National Policy on Education stressed the need to employ educational  technology to improve the quality of education. The policy statement led to two  major centrally sponsored schemes, namely, Educational Technology (ET) and  Computer Literacy. Educational technology also found a significant place in the  National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005.

 What and How to Teach Children?

The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 emphasizes the importance of a creative spirit and joy in childhood, influenced by Tagore's insights. It seeks to align education with India's constitutional vision of a secular, egalitarian, and pluralistic society. The broad aims include fostering independence, sensitivity, creativity, democratic participation, and economic and social contribution.

To address current educational distortions, the NCF proposes five guiding principles for curriculum development:

1. Connecting knowledge to life outside the school.
2. Shifting away from rote methods of learning.
3. Enriching the curriculum beyond textbooks.
4. Making examinations more flexible and integrating them with classroom life.
5. Nurturing an identity informed by caring concerns within the democratic polity.

Implications for Curriculum

The constructionist perspective views learning as an active process where learners construct knowledge by connecting new ideas with existing ones based on experiences. This process involves:

• Initial mental representation based on presented materials.
• Restructuring ideas as learners progress.
• Engagement in activities to construct meaning individually and socially.
• Promotion of learning through strategies that encourage questioning, expression, and intelligent guessing.

The Value of Interactions

Learning occurs through interactions with the environment, nature, and people, both through actions and language. The context of learning is crucial, and interactions with teachers, peers, and diverse socio-economic backgrounds enrich the learning experience.

National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF) 2023 Overview

Key Highlights and Changes

1. The NCF 2023 aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to transform India's school education system.
2. It covers education for children aged 3 to 18 years across diverse institutions.
3. NCF introduces the 5+3+3+4 structure of school education, emphasizing different stages from Foundational to Secondary.
4. There is a focus on the three-language formula, aiming for literacy milestones in three languages by specific grades.
5. Changes to board examinations include twice-yearly exams for flexibility, rigorous test development, and specialized assessments for vocational, arts, and physical education.
6. Classes 11 and 12 will now require the study of two languages, one of which must be an Indian language studied at a literature level.
7. More subjects will be available for selection in classes 11 and 12 with semester-based exams.
8. For class 10, students must complete two required courses from each of eight curricular areas, with local assessments for arts, physical education, and vocational education.
9. For classes 11 and 12, students must pass a total of six exams, including two language exams and four exams from at least two curricular groups.
10. The NCF emphasizes the development of human capacities, values, and dispositions, moving away from rote memorization.
11. It provides guiding principles, goals, and structures for curriculum, syllabi, teaching-learning materials, and assessment methods.
12. NCF 2023 aims for a holistic transformation of the curriculum, pedagogy, school environment, and culture to enhance student learning experiences.

Overview of NCF 2023

The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF) 2023 is designed based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to revolutionize India's school education system. It covers children from ages 3 to 18 across various educational institutions.

The framework introduces the 5+3+3+4 structure, aligning with NEP 2020, and outlines key principles for curriculum development. It emphasizes the three-language formula and literacy goals in each language by specific grades. Board examinations are set to change, with a focus on competency-based assessment, flexibility, and quality assurance.

Classes 11 and 12 will include the study of two languages, with more subject options and semester-based exams. Class 10 students will need to complete courses from eight curricular areas, with local assessments for arts, physical education, and vocational education.

NCF 2023 aims to develop a full range of human capacities, moving away from memorization to skill and value-based education. It provides comprehensive guidelines for curriculum, syllabi, teaching materials, and assessment methods, aiming for a holistic transformation of the educational experience.