NCERT textbooks updated in accordance with the new NEP anticipated to be implemented in 2024–2025
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a comprehensive framework for the development of education in India aimed at transforming the education system to make it more accessible, inclusive, and relevant to the needs of the 21st century. The policy proposes significant changes in the education system, including changes in the curriculum and pedagogy, with a focus on making education more holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary. Key features of the NEP 2020 include a new 5+3+3+4 curricular and pedagogical structure, promotion of multilingualism, incorporation of vocational education and skill development, and the use of technology in education..
The Ministry of Education in India is working closely with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to revise textbooks as per the new NEP 2020. The revised textbooks will be based on the new curricular and pedagogical structure proposed by NEP 2020 and will aim to make education more holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary. The new textbooks are likely to be introduced from the 2024-25 academic session.
According to a senior MoE official, “The new textbooks are likely to be introduced from 2024-25 academic session. It is a tall task but we are aiming for that. The textbooks will be revised as per the new NCF, work on which is already going on. Developing textbooks is a laborious task.”
In response to the transition towards online education during the Covid-19 pandemic, NCERT has digitized all textbooks developed based on the updated National Curriculum Framework (NCF). Digitizing NCERT books has numerous benefits, including increased accessibility, cost-effectiveness, enhanced learning experience, and ease of updating.
The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) is a comprehensive framework that provides guidance for the development of school curricula in India. The NCF is periodically revised to ensure that it remains relevant and reflective of the changing needs of the education system. In 2020, the Ministry of Education announced the development of four NCFs: NCF for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCFECCE), NCF for School Education (NCFSE), NCF for Teacher Education (NCFTE), and NCF for Adult Education (NCFAE).
The development process for the NCFs involves a collaborative and consultative approach with experts, educationists, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. States and union territories are preparing their State Curriculum Frameworks (SCFs) through district-level consultations, mobile app surveys, and development of position papers in 25 areas identified as per the NEP 2020. The draft SCFs will provide inputs to the development of NCFs, which will be translated into 22 languages and shared with the states and UTs for their comments.
The recommendations of NEP 2020 will be kept in view during the whole process, and the documents will be disseminated to states for revising the draft SCFs and implementation. The process involves periodic monitoring and evaluation, and revisions are made as necessary to ensure that the NCFs remain relevant and reflective of the changing needs of the education system in India. The NCFs will guide the development of textbooks, learning materials, assessments, and teacher training programs in India.
