National Curriculum Framework for School Education

National Curriculum Framework for School Education

News: Recently, The Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship released the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE).

What is NCF-SE?
• The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) is the curriculum framework for the 5+3+3+4 design of schooling as proposed by the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). NCF has been drafted by national steering committee headed by K Kasturirangan.
• Both, NEP 2020 and the NCF, are not binding on the states.
• NEP is a policy that states are free to adopt, while the NCF provides guidelines on how school education should be conducted in classrooms.
• The entire curriculum framework for all the four stages – Foundational Stage, Preparatory Stage, Middle Stage, and Secondary Stage was released.
• Applicability - For students of grade 9 and above starting from the 2024-25 academic session.

Key Provisions:
• Multilingualism and Focus on Indian Languages - It mandates teaching of three languages, including two Indian languages, in classes 9-10, and two languages, including one Indian language, in class 11- 12.
• Flexibility in opting for Subject - It offers students the freedom to pursue a mix of science and humanities to reduce boundaries separating arts, commerce and science in Classes 11 and 12 across school boards.
• The framework recommends twice-a-year Board examinations in grades 10 and 12, with the best score retained.
• Environmental Education - It will be given necessary emphasis across all stages of schooling resulting in a separate area of study in the Secondary Stage.
• Conceptual understanding in Mathematics - Higher order curricular goals such as problem solving, mathematical thinking, coding, and communication will be given due importance.
• Focus on Physical Education & Well-being in the curriculum by defining specific learning standards to be achieved and recommended time allocation in the school timetables.
• The framework allots specific times and weights to all subjects till grade 10, and recommends an optional “Additional Enrichment Period” in grades 9 and 10 to add to a student’s knowledge in any subject.