Why in news ?
National credit framework starting from 2024-25 will be introduced for classes 9 and 11 followed by extending it to classes 10 and 12 in the subsequent year. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSC ) informed all CBSC school principals to implement NCrF for class 9 th and 11th in session 2024-25.
Background :-
The National Credit Framework announced by UGC in April 2023 ,underlined the importance of education as a multifaceted journey that institutions must introduced among students for fulfilling their needs and aspirations. It integrates school education ,higher education ,skill and vocational education from level 1 and 8.It is a unified meta framework that accumulates credits earned from school education ,higher education and vocational and skill education .Under this system credits will be assigned to academic learning .
It consists three verticals ;-
- National School Education Qualification framework
- National Higher Education Qualification framework
- National skills qualification framework.
It is developed jointly by University Grants Commission ,All India Council for Technical Education,National Council for Vocational Education and Training ,National Institute of Open Schooling,Central Board Of Secondary Education ,National Council of Educational Research and Training ,Directorate General Of Training,Ministry of Education and Ministry of skill development.
Significance
- NCrF defines the learning outcomes and the credits a students should earn for a seamless transition from one level to another .This framework advocates flexible pathways ,allowing students to enter and exit the educational systems at various stages based on their achievements and aspirations
- The framework, developed by a government committee, allows candidates to earn credits, accumulate, and transfer them for equivalence, enabling multiple entry and exits into the skilling and education system.
- NCrF gives opportunity for more flexible and inclusive system , Under new NCF, thrust is on compulsory Physical Education and Art Education, every child will learn three languages.
- All credits collected by students will be stored in their Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) in the students’ digilockers.
“Academic Bank of Credits “also referred as Academic locker shows openness of educational institutions it acts as a platform where until now more than six crore students visited .It indicates widespread participation and acceptance .
- By democratising educational data and element of credit management it helps students optimizes educational planning which will promote data driven practice in educational decision making.
- It allows students to deposit credits earned from myriad learning experiences and provides deeper insights into their subjects.
- Enriches academic proficiency and cultivate skills ,competencies indispensable for real world applications.
Conclusion:-
- The integration of the NCrF and the ABC marks a paradigm shift in the Indian education system, offering flexibility, inclusivity, and a holistic learning experience.
- The goals of the National Education Policy combined with this transformative approach paves the way for an adaptable and dynamic education system that facilitates diverse needs and aspirations of students and educators alike.