National Curriculum Framework 2023: Major Changes Proposed with Focus on Flexibility and Critical Thinking

National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023: Recently, significant changes have been proposed in the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) regarding school education under the National Education Policy (NEP). The Education Minister has declared a "pre-draft" of the NCF and opened suggestions for stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, and scholars. The NCF is being prepared by a panel led by former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan.

The structure of Indian Education, which used to be 10+2, will now run according to four stages. The new structure will be 5+3+3+4. According to the new structure under the National Education Policy 2020, students will spend all five years in the foundational stage, which will be from Kindergarten to Class 2.

It will include three years in the preparatory stage comprising class 3 to 5, five years in the middle stage comprising class 6 to 8, and four in the secondary stage comprising class 9 to 12. This is an attempt by the government to provide flexibility in the education system.

The National Curriculum Framework has also advised the board to hold the board examination twice a year for classes 9 to 12. As per the released draft, if the examination takes place twice a year, it will give enough time to students to prepare well for the examination.

The curriculum areas in the Indian Education System are classified into eight subjects, namely- Humanities, Mathematics and Computing, Vocational Education, Physical Education, Arts, Social Sciences, Science, and Interdisciplinary areas. Eight curricular areas will still be available in classes 11 and 12, and each area will offer different subjects.

The NCF draft focuses more on critical thinking and problem-solving skills for students who are in higher classes. In addition, the draft also focuses more on the cultural approach to avoid bullying in schools.

The NCF has been revised four times - in 1975, 1988, 2000, and 2005. The new proposed revision will be the fifth of the framework.