The NEP 2020 revised the school education age structure from 10+2, changing it to 5+3+3+4 covering ages 3-18 years. With this restructuring, the NEP 2020 brought about a much needed focus on the Foundational Stage (Ages 3 to 8 yrs)which comprises Nursery to Grade 2.?
As a key component of implementation of NEP 2020, the National Curriculum Framework for each stage is being prepared to ensure uniform implementation of the NEP.?
On Thursday, 20th October 2022, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development, Sri Dharmednra Pradhan released the NCF for the Foundational Stage. As per the foreword of the NCF document, ‘ The NCF is one of the key components of NEP 2020, that enables and energizes this transformation, informed by the aims, principles, and approach of NEP 2020. Its objective is to realize the highest quality education for all our children, consistent with realizing an equitable, inclusive, and plural society as envisaged by our Constitution’
Careful perusal of the released NCF for the foundational stage reveals many reasons for early childhood advocates to rejoice. Here are the top 5:
- PLAY - The NCF stresses on the importance of play in the foundational stage. Recognising the role of play in brain development and as a vehicle for interdisciplinary learning that ensures that each child’s uniqueness is respected, the NCF has paved way for five years of flexible, multilevel, play and activity-based learning for children from Ages 3 to 8.
- TOYS - The NCF emphasizes the use of toys and manipulatives as a medium of learning and development in the foundational stage. Having conducted two toyathons, with special importance to Indian toys, it is clear that there is a clear mandate for promoting the usage of toys as a medium of learning. The NCF mentions ‘Developing mathematical abstract ideas (concepts) through concrete experience (ELPS)’ as one of the approaches to developing Numeracy. This translates to usage of more manipulatives and toys that can help in internalizing the mathematical concepts in a concrete manner before being able to construct the abstract concepts.
- Rooted Indian Traditions and Knowledge - By bringing awareness to the ‘Panchakosha Vikas’, the NCF lays emphasis on using the traditional knowledge of child development from India. The Panchakosha maps into the different domains of development envisaged in ECCE which are the basis of the Curricular Goals that have been elaborately defined in the NCF. The NCF recognises the contribution of Indian educators such as Gijubhai Badeka and Tarabai Modak in developing the educational landscape along with the likes of Montessori and Froebel.?
- Learning Standards - There is a clear flow-down structure from Aims of Education to Curricular Goals to Competencies to Learning Outcomes. The NCF recommends that each set must emanate from the immediately higher level, while ensuring full coverage of objectives at immediately higher level. By providing the detailed document of the learning outcomes, the NCF ensures uniformity and provides a clear road map for ECCEd programs. There is a focus on overall development by defining 13 Curricular Goals for the Foundational Stage divided in 6 Domains of development.
- Ecosystem - The NCF envisages the creation of a supportive ecosystem. It distinctly specifies the role of?
- A conducive environment for learning
- Enabling and empowering teachers
- Academic and administrative functionaries
- Parents and community
- Technology
There is a clear definition of what is entailed in each of the above roles that ensures that the NCF is a guide to all the stakeholders in ECCE. It provides practical guidelines for each stakeholder for implementation of the NEP 2020 for the Foundational Stage.
In conclusion, the NCF for the Foundational Stage promises to deliver the vision of NEP 2020 in a comprehensive, yet easily understandable manner. By keeping the teacher as the primary focus, who is at the heart of implementation of the curriculum, the NCF has delivered on its aim to be understandable and relatable to, and usable by, all practitioners of early childhood education.
