NEP Schools: The Future

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest disruptor in the education sector. It has brought the future to us sooner than we ever imagined.

Key insights on future of schooling amidst pandemic

• Shift towards digital: There is already a discernible shift in the focus from physical infrastructure towards digital and virtual requirements.
• Traditional modes of learning to continue: It is not EdTech as much as it is the traditional face-to-face modes of learning in schools that will continue to be the greatest equaliser in education.
• Skill building: In 21^st century it is skill building that needs to be focussed upon.
• Accelerated and differentiated instructional interventions will be required to overcome and reverse the impact of the pandemic.
• Role of state: It is likely that there will be more pressure on the government schooling system to expand its intake.

4 qualities that will define schools of future

• Open ambits of schooling: Schooling not be confined to classrooms.
  • Schooling to explore informal setting like eco-clubs, visits to the neighbourhood, to museums or scientific laboratories, etc.
  • This makes learners green in their approach, tech-savvy, connected to their roots and to the world, and will effectively link their curriculum to their lives.
• Adoption of innovative pedagogies and differentiated instruction: Schools to be pro-active innovators.
  • Utilise innovative methods of assessment to bring out unique potential of every child, harnessing innovative technologies for teaching, learning and administration.
• Future oriented and connected future job market: Empowering and building the skills of learners for jobs that are yet to be created and technologies that are yet to be invented.
• Stronger engagement with family and communities: The online world of e-parents-teachers meetings (e-PTMs), e-guidance to parents, and social media-based active communication with parents during the pandemic has opened up an entire world of possibilities.
  • Wider engagements: Covering local self-governments, health workers, environmentalists, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the community at large in offering services, support, infrastructure, exposure to future jobs, and learning from beyond the school boundaries.

Conclusion: Future schools will build the character of the children and set them free to discover the world, shape it and contribute to make it just and equitable.