National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation (NFECS), 2024
- Target Group: NFECS focuses on children aged from birth to three years.
- Aim:
- Empower caregivers and Anganwadi workers with knowledge and tools for optimal early stimulation.
- Promote holistic child development, encompassing physical, cognitive, social, and emotional aspects.
- Key Features:
- Emphasises responsive caregiving practices like “serve and return” where the caregiver responds to the child’s cues, fostering a nurturing environment.
- Promotes playful and joyful learning experiences.
- Aligns with the National Education Policy 2020’s objectives for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
- Focuses on early identification and support for children with disabilities.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Aim – Making “India a global knowledge superpower”.
- It is the third major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence and the other two occurred in 1968 and 1986.
- Target:
- Universalization of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to Secondary Education by 2030, in line with SDG 4.
- By 2025, the National Mission will have achieved Foundational Learning and Numeracy Skills.
- By 2030, the Pre-School to Secondary Level will be 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).
- By 2035, higher education will have a 50% GER.
- Bring 2 billion kids back into the mainstream by using the open-schooling method.
- By 2023, teachers must be ready for evaluation reforms, and by 2030, there will be an inclusive and equitable educational system.
- Features:
- Providing Universal Access at All Educational Levels from Pre-K to Grade 12.
- Ensuring all children between the ages of 0 and 3 receive high-quality early care and education.
- The age ranges for the New Curricular and Pedagogical Structure (5+3+3+3+4) are 3–8, 8–11, 11–14, and 14–18 years, respectively.
- There are no clear boundaries between the arts and sciences.
- Promoting multilingualism and Indian languages is prioritised.
- A new National Assessment Centre called PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) has been established.
- Special Education Zones and a distinct gender inclusion fund for underprivileged areas and organisations.