As the National Education Policy 2020 reshapes India’s education landscape. But with so much change, parents often wonder: How will this affect my child’s education? The NEP 2020, which introduced the 5+3+3+4 education system, restructured school education into four stages: Foundational, Preparatory, Middle, and Secondary. This new framework aims to replace the traditional 10+2 system and better align with the developmental stages of children aged 3 to 18.
In Schools in Najafgarh, Delhi, the 5+3+3+4 education system structure is being embraced with open arms, but how are they making it work? From early childhood education to skill development at the secondary level, schools are ensuring that their teaching methodologies are prepared for the future. Let’s explore what the new system means in Delhi schools under NEP 2020.
Understanding the New 5+3+3+4 Education Structure under NEP 2020
The new 5+3+3+4 framework is designed around the cognitive development stages of children and spans a total of 15 years. The new structure includes early childhood care, primary, middle, and secondary school education. Here’s how each stage supports a child’s academic and personal journey:
Stage 1: Foundational Stage – 5 Years
Age Group: 3 to 8 years
Classes Covered: Pre-school (Anganwadi), Class 1, and Class 2
- The foundational stage combines three years of pre-school education with two years of early primary schooling.
- Stage 1 phase emphasises basic literacy and numeracy, with teaching methods built around activities, play, stories, and interaction.
- The goal is to create a stress-free and engaging learning environment to support early childhood development.
Stage 2: Preparatory Stage – 3 Years
Age Group: 8 to 11 years
Classes Covered: Classes 3 to 5
- Students continue to build on the foundation of literacy and numeracy.
- The teaching approach continues to be activity-based, but with increased focus on formal learning.
- Subjects like languages, mathematics, and environmental studies are introduced more formally, while keeping curiosity and exploration central to learning.
Stage 3: Middle Stage – 3 Years
Age Group: 11 to 14 years
Classes Covered: Classes 6 to 8
- This stage introduces students to more subject-specific learning, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Arts, and Humanities.
- The focus shifts from general learning to the development of analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Experiential learning—learning by doing—is encouraged, helping students to understand concepts through real-world applications.
Stage 4: Secondary Stage – 4 Years
Age Group: 14 to 18 years
Classes Covered: Classes 9 to 12
- The secondary stage is split into two phases:
- Classes 9 and 10 (lower secondary)
- Classes 11 and 12 (higher secondary)
- Students are given flexibility in choosing subjects across disciplines, including the option to combine Science, Arts, and Commerce subjects.
- The secondary phase promotes in-depth learning, reasoning ability, and decision-making skills.
- Emphasis is on preparing students for higher education, skill development, or workplace readiness.
The New 5+3+3+4 Structure under NEP 2020 reflects the government’s effort to integrate early childhood education into the formal school system, making the overall schooling experience more relevant and effective.
Key Reforms Introduced in the 5+3+3+4 Education System Under NEP 2020
The National Education Policy 2020, which introduced the 5+3+3+4 system, brings significant structural and functional changes in India. The focus is to improve learning outcomes, reduce unnecessary pressure on students, and prepare them for practical challenges through a balanced and inclusive approach. Here is the breakdown of key reforms:
Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation Through Formative Assessments
Shift from one-time exam pressure to regular progress tracking under the old education system, student performance was mostly measured through annual or board exams. And this led to a narrow focus on marks, often resulting in additional academic pressure and increased reliance on coaching institutes.
NEP 2020 introduces formative assessments, which will be conducted regularly throughout the academic year. These assessments focus on the overall development of a student—measuring not only academic skills but also critical thinking, understanding, and practical application.
Key features include:
- Board examinations will be offered twice a year to reduce the pressure of one-time assessments.
- Tests will evaluate core competencies rather than promote rote learning.
- The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct standardised subject-specific aptitude tests, including for science, arts, languages, and vocational education, twice annually.
Multilingual Instruction and the Three-Language Formula
Encouraging learning in the home or regional language to make education more accessible and inclusive, NEP 2020 emphasises the use of the local language or mother tongue as the medium for teaching, particularly until Grade 5, and where possible, until Grade 8.
Implementation details:
- Students will learn three languages during their schooling. At least two of these must be Indian languages.
- Schools—both private and public—will be responsible for providing quality learning materials in regional languages.
- Teachers will adopt a bilingual teaching approach, using both local languages and English where needed.
This multilingual approach ensures better conceptual understanding for students in their early years while promoting cultural preservation and communication skills.
Integrated Curriculum Covering Academic Subjects and Practical Skills
Balancing subject knowledge with real-world abilities to bridge the gap between education and employability, NEP 2020 proposes a flexible curriculum that includes not only core academic subjects but also skills that are important for future opportunities.
Highlights:
- Emphasis on language proficiency, mathematical skills, scientific literacy, and analytical thinking.
- New additions, including coding, digital literacy, and computational thinking, will be introduced from the middle school level.
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork will be incorporated through project-based learning and group tasks.
This approach aims to equip students with the tools they need for higher education and employment by nurturing both academic and life skills in tandem.
Strengthening Teacher Training and Recruitment
Raising standards for teacher qualification and classroom delivery
Recognising that teachers are central to educational quality, NEP 2020 introduces several measures to improve teacher education, recruitment, and ongoing professional development.
Key measures include:
- A four-year integrated B.Ed program will become the minimum requirement for teaching in schools, supported by merit-based scholarships to attract high-calibre candidates.
- Efforts will be made to recruit teachers who can speak the regional language, especially in rural and underserved areas, to improve classroom engagement.
- The hiring process for teachers will now include interviews, assessing practical teaching ability alongside test scores.
- Teacher Eligibility Tests (TET) will be updated to focus on both subject content and teaching methods.
Conclusion
The 5+3+3+4 system under NEP 2020 is reshaping how schools in Delhi, including schools in Najafgarh, Delhi, approach learning. The 5+3+3+4 system focuses on age-appropriate stages, regular assessments, multilingual education, practical skills, and better teacher training. The National Education Policy aims to make education more effective and relevant for students.
Mata Nand Kaur Public School in Najafgarh, Delhi, has successfully implemented NEP 2020, adapting the 5+3+3+4 structure to offer a more holistic education. We focus on early childhood education, experiential learning, and vocational training. Our teachers are trained to use modern, interactive methods that cater to the needs of every student. Apply now for the upcoming academic session. ” Visit here for more”
