NEP implementation deferred for Class XI for this academic yr

times news network

Panaji: While National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation has started at the primary and the upper primary levels, the new study methodology and textbooks will come into force from Class IX to XII only later. Some components like the ten subject systems with school assessments subjects have been introduced in Class IX and X, but its implementation has been deferred as of now for Class XI, official sources said.

“For one, NCERT is yet to roll out NEP-aligned textbooks for Class XI. Secondly, NEP now calls for a more multidisciplinary approach, which means that now there will not be the strict division between streams like arts, commerce, science, and vocational. Once you implement NEP, you should be able to offer interdisciplinary subjects to students. Like a commerce student should be able to study an arts subject, if he or she so desires,” said the official.

In Goa, officials are discussing how this can be implemented where some higher secondary schools have only particular streams on offer. “If a higher secondary stream does not have arts on offer, for instance, and if a student wants to pursue an arts subject, it should be available to him or her once the implementation is started. Therefore it is being worked out how this can be achieved, whether neighbouring schools can be clubbed into a cluster so teachers can offer that multidisciplinary approach,” said the official.

Under NEP, the country is also looking to move towards integrating skill-based learning into the curriculum of Classes XI and XII. This will see a shift from the traditional certificate and degree-focused education system to one that emphasises practical competence, critical thinking, and employable skills.

Core skill subjects under the Union education ministry’s consideration include coding, computer language writing, artificial intelligence, drone technology, and advanced mathematics, alongside traditional disciplines such as languages and sciences.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training has issued an advisory that outlines the implementation plan of revised textbooks and course content by grades in schools, as per NEP. As per the advisory, the phase-wise implementation changes for secondary and senior secondary levels will be introduced in stages. The move follows recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.

Students in Class X and XI will continue with existing textbooks during the 2026–27 academic session. The revised textbooks for these classes will be rolled out from the 2027–28 academic year, as per NCERT’s schedule.

Goa needs to review these textbooks for local contextualisation once they come before they are implemented.