PM Modi Champions NEP 2020 for Holistic, Joyful Learning in India

"The first day of school is not just a beginning, but it is also a shared national responsibility among the students that needs to be embedded! Under NEP 2020, India is continuing to nurture curiosity and holistic development with an immense focus on foundational literacy and joyful learning," the Prime Minister said on his official X account, adding, "Read this article by Union Minister @dpradhanbjp to learn in detail."

The NEP 2020 is India's comprehensive framework for transforming its education system to be more inclusive, equitable, and aligned with 21st-century skills.

In his opinion piece, published in The Indian Express, Union Minister Pradhan has stressed on NEP having placed curiosity, understanding and holistic development at the centre of learning, "moving beyond rote memorisation".

Every academic year is a meaningful step forward in realising that vision, the Union Minister said.

"The first day of school is seldom uneventful. It carries a mix of hesitation and joys of new beginnings. Tiny hands hold big emotions and curious eyes capture a whole new world," he shared, underscoring, "The early years must centre on play, exploration and discovery, and define the beginning of a lifelong journey."

Therefore, integration of pre-school learning into formal schooling ensures children enter Grade I with stronger foundational skills.

At the heart of these early years, Union Minister Pradhan asserted, lies a strong national commitment to foundational literacy and numeracy.

The article said that education must nurture the "whole child" -- mind, body, and heart; and arts, sports, nutrition, and physical activity are integral.

Union Minister Pradhan also said that education is framed as a collective duty involving governments, schools, teachers, parents, and communities.

"Through the NIPUN Bharat Mission (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy), India has set a clear goal: Every child should be able to read with understanding and perform basic arithmetic by the end of Grade II. The focus shifts from memorising answers to understanding concepts. Classrooms must inspire children to ask questions, not just reproduce answers," he asserted.

The Union Minister also laid stress on measures like mandatory physical education, "oil boards" and "sugar boards", to combat obesity, and on strengthening Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) for better nutrition.

Additionally, Union Minister Pradhan said that technology is a learning enabler but raises concerns about screen time and mental health. Therefore, socio-emotional learning is integrated into curricula.

He added that teachers are central to implementing reforms, fostering multilingual learning, and respecting mother tongues.

However, "Education does not begin or end at the school gate," he said, saying that the home is the first classroom, and parents are the first teachers.

"What children experience at home shapes how they learn in school. Homes are the first classrooms. Parents shape learning through reading habits, nutrition, sleep, and active engagement with schools," he shared.

Union Minister Pradhan also stressed that the ultimate goal is an inclusive, innovative, and future-ready education system that nurtures confidence, kindness, and joy in every child -- preparing them as leaders for a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.

- IANS