The 5+3+3+4 Formula in the Education system NEP 2020
The 5+3+3+4 education system is a new way of organizing school education in India, as proposed by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It aims to replace the traditional 10+2 system with a more holistic and flexible approach that covers the entire span of a child's development from age 3 to 18. But what does this system mean for you and me? How will it affect our learning outcomes, career choices, and personal growth? Let's find out.
What is the 5+3+3+4 education system?
The 5+3+3+4 education system divides the school education into four stages: foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary. Each stage has a different duration, curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment method that suits the cognitive and emotional needs of the learners at that age. Here is a brief overview of each stage.
Foundational stage: This stage covers the ages of 3 to 8 and includes three years of pre-primary education (anganwadi or preschool) and two years of primary education (classes 1 and 2). The focus of this stage is on developing language skills, numeracy skills, and basic cognitive abilities through play-based and activity-based learning. The medium of instruction will be the mother tongue or the local language till at least grade 5.
Preparatory stage: This stage covers the ages of 8 to 11 and includes three years of upper primary education (classes 3 to 5). The focus of this stage is on building foundational literacy and numeracy skills, as well as introducing students to various subjects such as science, social studies, arts, and languages. The pedagogy will be interactive and experiential, with an emphasis on discovery and exploration.
Middle stage: This stage covers the ages of 11 to 14 and includes three years of secondary education (classes 6 to 8). The focus of this stage is on deepening the conceptual understanding of various subjects, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and fostering creativity and innovation. The pedagogy will be multidisciplinary and inquiry-based, with an integration of arts, sports, and vocational education.
Secondary stage: This stage covers the ages of 14 to 18 and includes four years of senior secondary education (classes 9 to 12). The focus of this stage is on preparing students for higher education and career opportunities, as well as developing their personal and social values. The pedagogy will be flexible and student-centered, with a choice of subjects and streams according to their interests and aptitudes.
How will the 5+3+3+4 education system benefit you and me?
The 5+3+3+4 education system is designed to provide a holistic, inclusive, and quality education for all students in India. It has several advantages over the existing system, such as:
- It recognizes the importance of early childhood care and education (ECCE) for the physical, mental, and emotional development of children. It also brings ECCE under the ambit of formal schooling and extends the Right to Education Act to cover children from age 3 to 18.
- It reduces the stress and pressure of high-stakes examinations by shifting from assessment 'of' learning to assessment 'for' learning. It also introduces more regular and formative assessments that are competency-based and feedback-oriented, rather than rote-based and marks-oriented.
- It promotes a more seamless and continuous learning process by aligning the curriculum and pedagogy with the developmental stages of children. It also allows for more flexibility and choice in selecting subjects and streams according to their interests and aptitudes.
- It encourages a more multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to learning by integrating arts, sports, vocational education, and life skills across the curriculum. It also fosters a culture of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students.
- It respects the diversity and plurality of India by giving importance to the mother tongue or local language as the medium of instruction till at least grade 5. It also enables students to learn multiple languages, including classical languages, foreign languages, and sign languages.
How can prepare for the 5+3+3+4 education system?
The implementation of the 5+3+3+4 education system will require a lot of changes in the existing infrastructure, curriculum, teacher training, and assessment methods. It will also require a lot of awareness and participation from all the stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, schools, and policymakers. Here are some ways you and I can prepare for the new system:
- As students, we can embrace the new opportunities and challenges that the new system will offer us. We can be more curious, proactive, and self-directed in our learning process. We can also explore our passions, talents, and goals, and choose the subjects and streams that suit us best.
- As parents, we can support our children in their learning journey. We can be more involved in their education and provide them with a conducive environment at home. We can also respect their choices and aspirations, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
- As teachers, we can upgrade our skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the new system. We can adopt more innovative and learner-centric methods of teaching and assessment. We can also collaborate with other teachers, schools, and experts to share best practices and resources.
- As schools, we can upgrade our infrastructure and facilities to provide a safe and stimulating environment for our students. We can also revise our curriculum and pedagogy to align with the new system. We can also engage with our parents and communities to create a culture of trust and partnership.
- As policymakers, we can ensure that the new system is implemented in a smooth and effective manner. We can provide adequate funds, resources, and guidance to all the schools and teachers. We can also monitor and evaluate the progress and outcomes of the new system.
Conclusion
The 5+3+3+4 education system is a bold and visionary step towards transforming the school education in India. It aims to provide a holistic, inclusive, and quality education for all students in India. It also aims to prepare them for the 21st century challenges and opportunities. It is up to us, as students, parents, teachers, schools, and policymakers, to make this vision a reality.
Source
(1) Decoding new 5+3+3+4 education policy of India. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/explained-decoding-new-5334-education-policy-of-india-2343206-2023-03-06.
(2) From 10+2 to 5+3+3+4: What does NEP's big shift in school education .... https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/from-10-2-to-5-3-3-4-what-does-nep-s-big-shift-in-school-education-mean-1713346-2020-08-20.
(3) The 5+3+3+4 Education System Simplified - Teachmint. https://blog.teachmint.com/the-5-3-3-4-education-system/.
(4) 5+3+3+4 Formula Education System and New Exams Pattern | NEP 2020. https://www.acadecraft.com/blog/5-3-3-4-education-system-nep-2020/.
(5) How The 5+3+3+4 Education System - ecoleglobale.com. https://www.ecoleglobale.com/blog/how-the-5334-education-system/.
What are the main points of NEP 2023?
The policy envisions a holistic and integrated education approach, focusing on skill development, multi-disciplinary learning, and promoting creativity and critical thinking. It also emphasises using technology and digital resources to enhance the learning experience.
What is the education system in India and how does it work?
The school system in India has four levels: lower primary (age 6 to 10), upper primary (11 and 12), high (13 to 15) and higher secondary (17 and 18). The lower primary school is divided into five “standards”, upper primary school into two, high school into three and higher secondary into two.
What is the meaning of 3 in education?
Here we are considering those three key aspects – Intent, Implementation and Impact – that are so vital to the development of an outstanding curriculum. What are the 3 Is in education? The 3 Is are Intent, Implementation and Impact. They come from the 2019 Ofsted inspection framework.
What is 10 2 3 system of education?
In this pattern, study of 10 years is done in schools and 2 years in Junior colleges (Maharashtra) or Higher Secondary Schools(most other states), and then 3 years of study for a bachelor's degree.
