India's New Ministry Of Education Will Help Kids Learn With More Freedom

Last week, India saw a major overhaul in the way it plans to educate students. The first big change was revamping the name for the ministry itself -- from the Ministry of Human Resources to the Ministry of Education.

And along with this are some really cool changes and inclusions to help our kids learn better. Here are some major changes that are coming soon to our education system.

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From 10+2 to 5+3+3+4

Earlier, we followed a structure of 10+2 where 10 years were spent in schooling while the next two years focussed on career-building courses. Now, the education system will ask for 5 years of foundation education, followed by 3 years of preparatory, three years of middle school and four years of secondary education.

Flexible streams

The new education system allows kids to choose subjects of their choice, regardless of the choice of stream for example, a science student can choose to pick history as a subject instead of chemistry or biology. The subjects will be offered at a two-level proficiency.

Technology will play a major role

From teaching kids programming (from grade 6) to the setting up of a forum to allow kids to exchange new ways of including tech to learn better, technology will play a much larger role now.

Board exams revamped

Board exams no longer will be the test of who can write the best, but also help kids understand the concepts, rather than rote memorization. Board exams will now get modular and will be held twice a year.

Emphasis on a multilingual approach

The education system will continue the 3-language policy in schooling however, now the kids will be given an option to be taught in the local language till class 8.

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Bagless days

The education system would also help kids to explore other crafts and artwork, and hence promote 10 bagless days a year where a kid can learn skills like carpentry, painting etc by interning under a professional.

Standardised testing for college admission

Common standardised testing like the SATs in the US will be held twice a year to streamline the admission and selection process of students, making lives simpler for institutions and students.

Four years for a graduate degree

Now instead of three years, you¡¯ll be spending four years for a graduate degree. Moreover, kids who have dropped out will be offered credits to help them continue where they left off, and complete their degree after a break.

University affiliations won¡¯t exist anymore

A college will now be offered autonomy to give degrees and won¡¯t longer be affiliated with any university. This also means that the affiliations of deemed universities will also come to an end.

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Cap on exorbitant fees

To help education be accessible for all, the ministry will cap the fees for specific courses and degrees to prevent private institutions from charging exorbitant fees.

International influence

The ministry will allow for top rated universities across the world to facilitate education in India, as well as encourage leading Indian institutes to expand and educate globally.