UGC Introduces Alternate Learning Methods In The Indian School Education System

As per the Final National Credit Framework (NCrF) Report, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has recommended a set of sweeping changes in the Indian school education system. The National Education Policy 2023 seeks to introduce multiple entry and exit options at the school level for students who want to opt for vocational training or dropout from school midway for valid reasons. Currently, there is no policy on homeschooling and students are required to obtain class 10 and 12 board exam certificates as credentials for further opportunities.

The NCrF says homeschooling, online learning and other alternative learning methods should be validated and students should be certified with diplomas for these. The NCrF will act as the enabler to define the entry and exit criteria of the programmes being offered by them. It seeks to establish credits to measure the number of hours a student puts in and the amount of course work completed by them.

To enable a seamless transition for students from school to college, this framework has been jointly developed and backed by multiple educational bodies, including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET).