Delhi schools await clarity on new learning structure

Currently, Delhi schools have four classes till Class 2, but NEP recommends five levels of learning till Class 2 in the foundational stage

With the new academic session set to begin in April, schools in the Capital are awaiting clarity from the Delhi government regarding the implementation of various provisions of the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS), part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

In line with the NEP 2020, the government launched a national curriculum framework (NCF) for foundation or early childhood care in October last year, recommending no textbooks for children between three and six years of age. (Representative image/HT Archive)

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has adopted NCF-FS from the 2023-24 academic session and asked schools to implement NCF-FS 2022 and put in place the new structure that mandates five years of education at the foundational stage (preschool till Class 2). In its directive to schools last Friday, CBSE asked schools to augment the infrastructure to include preschool classes.

The NEP recommends a 5+3+3+4 (nursery, two kindergarten levels, Class 1, Class 2+ classes 3, 4, 5+classes 6, 7, 8+classes 9, 10, 11, 12) structure, which includes five levels of learning till Class 2 in the foundational stage. Currently, Delhi schools have four classes till Class 2 (nursery, kindergarten, Class 1, Class 2) with children entering Class 1 at 5 years of age.

In line with the NEP 2020, the government launched a national curriculum framework (NCF) for foundation or early childhood care in October last year, recommending no textbooks for children between three and six years of age. It also emphasised on promoting learning based on toys, play and lived experience, and the use of the mother tongue.

In February this year, the Union ministry of education directed all states and Union territories to fix the minimum age for admission in Class 1 as 6 years in line with NEP 2020.

Schools said they will expand infrastructure once the Delhi government issues guidelines offering more clarity on implementation and on the introduction of another learning level.

“At present, we have four classes (nursery, KG, Class 1, and class 2) in the foundational stage. For them, we will be introducing various aspects of NCF. However, we need to introduce one more class to meet the requirements of the 5+3+3+4 model and for that to happen, we need guidelines from the Delhi government,” Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School and chairperson of the National Progressive School Conference (NPSC) — which has more than 120 Delhi schools as its members—said.

“The ministry says that children should be aged 6 in Class 1 under NEP but in Delhi, children are aged 5 in Class 1. Another class will have to be added if we want children aged 6 to reach Class 1. Clarity on all such aspects is awaited,”

She added that the school will be introducing play-based learning material for children called ‘Jaadui Pitara’. Launched by union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in January this year, the ‘Jaadui Pitara’ (magic collection) contains playbooks, activity books, worksheets, toys, handbooks for teachers and trainers, flashcards, story cards, posters, puzzles, puppets, and children magazine.

Jyoti Arora, principal of Mount Abu Public School in Rohini, said that while CBSE had issued directions for the implementation of NCF for the foundational stage, directions for implementation of various facets were needed from the state government. “We are awaiting clarity from the Delhi government on how it plans to implement NCF. Even if we were to incorporate other provisions such as the magic collection, teachers would first need an orientation. The NCF is important since it seeks to strengthen foundation skills through age-appropriate learning but for sound implementation, we would need a framework from the Delhi government,” said Arora.

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Richa Sharma Agnihotri, principal, Sanskriti School, said that the NCF has suggested good teaching-learning practices which were already being followed by the school. “The NCF has suggested some excellent recommendations and I believe most good schools including us are already following them. These practices are not deviating from the prevailing norms,” said Agnihotri. She added that the school would wait for guidelines from the Delhi government as far as other aspects such as the introduction of another learning level was concerned.

Department of Education officials familiar with the issue said that the Delhi government is holding consultations with stakeholders on the matter. “We are holding consultations and deliberating with various stakeholders on this subject. Once consultations are completed, we will share our final stance very soon,” said the official, who did not wish to be named.