Out of the patterns given below which of them has been adopted in place of 10+2 pattern for school education in the New Education Policy 2020?

The correct answer is 5 + 3 + 3 + 4.

Key Points

• The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 replaced the traditional 10+2 structure with a new pedagogical and curricular structure of 5+3+3+4.
• The structure corresponds to different age groups: Foundational (5 years), Preparatory (3 years), Middle (3 years), and Secondary (4 years).
• The foundational stage (ages 3–8) focuses on play-based and activity-based learning, including 3 years of pre-primary and grades 1–2.
• The preparatory stage (ages 8–11) includes grades 3–5, emphasizing discovery-based and experiential learning.
• The middle and secondary stages (ages 11–18) aim at multidisciplinary education, critical thinking, and flexibility in subject choices.

Additional Information

• Foundational Stage (5 years): Includes 3 years of pre-primary education and classes 1–2, focusing on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) with the help of Anganwadis, Balvatikas, and pre-schools.
• Preparatory Stage (3 years): Covers classes 3–5 and emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy, along with art, storytelling, and flexible curriculum approaches.
• Middle Stage (3 years): Encompasses classes 6–8, where students engage in subject-oriented learning, and vocational education is introduced from grade 6.
• Secondary Stage (4 years): Covers classes 9–12 with a multidisciplinary and choice-based system, allowing students to select subjects across arts, sciences, and vocational streams.
• Key Objective of NEP 2020: To provide equitable access to quality education, foster critical thinking, and prepare students for the 21st-century skill demands.