National Curriculum Framework (NCF)

Relevance:

Recently, the Union Education ministry launched the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for foundational stage education of children in the 3 to 8 years age group.

Key highlights:

• Based on the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• No any prescribed textbook for ages three to six.
• Learning through Play initiative.
• Primary medium of instruction – Mother Tongue/Familiar Language
• Curriculum on cultural and social context.
• 4 Stages:
  • Foundational – NCF for School Education
  • Preparatory – NCF for Early Childhood Care and Education
  • Middle – NCF for Teacher Education
  • Secondary – NCF for Adult Education
• Focus – Panchakosha Vikas (mentioned in the Taittiriya Upanishad)
• 5 parts of NCF:
  • Physical development (Sharirik vikas)
  • Development of life energy (Pranik vikas)
  • Emotional and mental development (Manasik vikas)
  • Intellectual development (Bauddhik vikas)
  • Spiritual development (Chaitsik vikas)

Constitutional Provisions and related Laws:

• Article 45 and Article 39 (f) of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
• 42^nd Constitution Amendment Act (Transfer of education from the State to the Concurrent List)
• Article 21-A (86^th Constitution Amendment Act)
• Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 (25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of the society)

Reference: The Hindu