PANAJI
In a bid to dispel the ambiguity surrounding the introduction of National Education Policy (NEP), the State government on Monday announced it will indeed be introduced but only for the level-1 (nursery of the existing system) of the 'foundational level' in the upcoming academic year.
The 'foundational level' encompasses the first five years -- the three pre-primary years (nursery, KG-I and KG-II) and classes I and II -- of the existing education system accounting for the 3-8 years age group.
Education Secretary Education, Prasad Lolienkar, IAS, who made the announcement at a press conference said, the academic year for this level one of foundational level will commence only from July 3 in all pre-primary educational institutions in the State.
"This will give the entire system breathing space to address whatever issues arise over the introduction of the policy. Also during this month of June, the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will conduct training of teachers in play method of teaching," Lolienkar said, adding that training of some 100 master trainers has already begun.
Under the NEP, education at the foundational level will be imparted by the 'play method' and will focus on physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, moral and other aspects of child development.
"There will be no examinations throughout the five year foundation level. Students will be assessed only at the end of the five years by a very detailed assessment methodology without exams which will be drawn up by the Samat-led committee," Lolienkar said.
The NEP-2020 has structured school education into three levels -- Foundational Level (first five years, i.e. upto class II), three years of 'middle' preparatory level (class III to V) and four years of secondary level.
Lolienkar said, as far as the curriculum is concerned, this year (2023-24) the one designed by the NCERT will be adopted this year and next year onwards the State-specific component will be introduced with the inputs from the report of the Samant committee.
"Copies of the curriculum framework will be provided to the teachers during the training through the month of June. It will be in English, Konkani and Marathi," he said.
The Samant committee has been given a timeframe of six months to complete its work and submit its report, he added.
