Connecting Communities, One Page at a Time.
Delhi8:13 AM | 28th April 2024
Connecting Communities, One Page at a Time.
Under the NCrF, each course or program offered by a higher education institution will be assigned a specific number of credits, based on the course’s academic rigor and learning outcomes.
The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to bring comprehensive reforms to the education system of India
India has been crying for ‘employability-driven’ study for a long time. A recent study reveals that over 30% of the unemployed youth in India are graduates and post-graduates. It clearly shows that there are big cracks in our education system that need amelioration in mission mode. The global economy is driven by technological advancements and it has significantly impacted the relationship between education and employment. As a result, it has become a kind of mandatory for students to focus on skill development alongside college education. Recognizing Cognizant of this urgent reform, the Ministry of Education has introduced the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
What is NCrF?
The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to bring comprehensive reforms to the education system of India and the NCrF is a key component of it. He NCrF is designed to provide a standardized and flexible ‘credit-based system’ in higher education.
Under the NCrF, each course or program offered by a higher education institution will be assigned a specific number of credits, based on the course’s academic rigor and learning outcomes. These credits reflect the intensity and learning objectives of the course. Students will accumulate credits as they successfully complete courses and programs.
The NCrF will promote interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary learning by allowing students to choose courses from different disciplines and earn credits across various domains. It encourages the integration of vocational education, academic education, and co-curricular activities, giving equal importance to both theoretical and practical knowledge.
One of the splendid features of the NCrF is the provision for credit transfer and accumulation, which means that if a student wishes to change their institution or program, the credits earned in their previous institution can be transferred and recognized by the new institution. This facilitates seamless mobility and flexibility for students in pursuing their education.
The NCrF also emphasizes the use of technology and online platforms for the delivery of courses and assessments. It promotes the adoption of digital learning resources, online examinations, and e-portfolios for tracking and showcasing students’ learning progress. The NCrF aims to foster a ‘learner-centric’ approach in alignment with the best global practices.
Scholars around the world have gone gaga over India’s demographic dividend. However, some projections alarm that by 2030, around 47% of Indian adolescents will lack crucial skills for employment. To fuel economic growth and social progress, India direly needs to focus on improving its entire education ecosystem with a simultaneous emphasis on skill development.
At around 5%, India has very low workforce participation, compared to countries like the UK (68%), Germany (75%), Japan (80%), or even South Korea (96%) have a well-established ‘apprenticeship system.’ These countries have successfully aligned their apprenticeship programs with national and international qualification systems, earning the trust and support of employers. By adopting the NCrF, India aspires to establish a growth trajectory for its unemployed youth.
As the world faces a projected talent shortage, focused skill development aligned with industrial demands will play a critical role in mitigating this crisis. The NCrF, with its emphasis on skill development in line with industry requirements, can help India meet this challenge head-on.
Whether it is India or even any country in the world, it is bound to acknowledge the changing dynamics of the job market. The National Credit Framework (NCrF) represents a significant step towards aligning education with employability. In the era of the industrial revolution, the United States had to upskill its workforce which led the country to become an economic superpower. As everyone knows, a skilled and employable workforce makes economies powerful, whether it was the US or it has to be India.
Copyright© educationpost.in 2024 All Rights Reserved.
