A Study on NEP 2020 Strategies Transforming School Education Quality and Learning Outcomes
Keywords:
NEP 2020; Education Reform; School Transformation; Learning Outcomes; Competency-Based Education; Foundational Literacy and Numeracy;Abstract
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 represents a landmark transformation in the Indian education system, proposing structural reform, curricular renewal, pedagogical modernization, holistic learning development, and competency-based educational redesign intended to elevate school quality and enhance learning outcomes across diverse learner populations. This review paper critically examines NEP 2020 strategies and their implications for improving school education quality, teaching practices, assessment reform, multilingual instruction, inclusive education, foundational literacy and numeracy, experiential learning, digital integration, teacher professional development, and equitable access. Drawing on research in educational policy studies, learning sciences, comparative education, curriculum theory, pedagogical innovation, and child development frameworks, the paper analyzes how NEP 2020 redefines learning expectations, instructional approaches, school governance models, and student developmental priorities within a rapidly changing national and global educational landscape. The findings highlight that NEP 2020 aims to shift Indian schooling away from rote memorization, high-stakes examinations, fragmented curriculum structures, and teacher-centred delivery toward experiential learning, competency mastery, inquiry-based thinking, socio-emotional development, and multidisciplinary knowledge pathways. The review further evaluates implementation challenges, systemic capacity needs, equity considerations, and sustainability factors that determine the policy’s transformative potential.
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