COVID-19 struck us all with little warning.
Most of our educational institutions remained shut down for prolonged period. It made our Educators turn to Zoom, Google Meet like video-conferencing applications to train students online.
But, none of those video-conferencing tools were originally designed for formal education. In other words, they are all for general virtual meetings, in their original forms. They do lack one or more of the marked features of Student-Teacher communication in the learning-teaching cycle.
Like?
- proper interactivity between teacher & students in a higher-sized class.
- peer-interaction among students that’s a core feature of education.
- engagement issues where a teacher may not even know that her/his students are distracted.
- reduced scope for group activities, participation & collaboration.
- evaluation of students.
- proper attendance-marking.
So, do we have better tools now?
Just like how necessity is the mother of invention, new requirements have always driven Technology. In simpler words, Yes!
Here’s a list of 4 new tools, conceived and implemented exclusively for online classes:
Class Technologies is a simple solution built on top of Zoom. It is ideal for school-level online classes.
Engageli platform is suitable for higher education, with advanced features for group discussions, collaboration and higher engagement.
Top Hat specializes in asynchronous content delivery, targeting international students across time zones.
InSpace, staying true to its name, allows movement in the virtual class room, along with a few other high-tech VR features like proximity-based audio.
That’s it?
Well, we all know that online classes are here to stay! There’s a lot of tech players in this domain, offering richer features and applications in the immediate feature. So, stay tuned because this field is certain to take revolutionary changes.
“Dad, I’m bored! How long will I have to stay indoors?!”
“The pandemic days seem to have lowered my daughter’s interest in academics! How can I rekindle it?“
“When will my School reopen? When will they take us on the NASA trip that they promised last year?“
COVID-19 has had its toll on each one of us. Some way or the other.
- School Education is one of the most affected societal aspects because of the global pandemic. Our kids have missed their “second homes” for almost an year now!
- Kids of ages 7 to 13, especially, cannot be kept away from Schools or Educational Activities for longer durations because of their marked sensitivities. You have already introduced them to formal education (ages 7 & 8), taken them along the path of school education for a few years (ages 9 to 11), and prepared them for high-schooling (ages 12 & 13). A longer loss of “touch”, or “interest”, or “caring”, may seriously affect their ability to learn. The damage can vary kid to kid.
Introducing the Virtual Camp at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) @ NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), USA!
- What can be more invigorating and exciting than a program from NASA, one of the most prestigious organizations of the world, during these troubled times?
- “Study Tour to NASA” has always been one of the most valued educational programs for School Students all over the world. With COVID-19‘s break-out in the early months of 2020, the program got suspended for obvious reasons. As the pandemic continued to keep the world locked-down, NASA designed the Virtual Camp Program @ KSC, with its first batch attending the Camp in July 2020. With the Virtual Camp Program, NASA resumed its journey to empower every young mind with knowledge of Space, and more importantly, it demonstrated man’s unwillingness to bow down before disasters!
- The whole program is online. Your kids would never miss the comfort or safety of their own homes!
It’s an online program, offered for three or five consecutive days. There would be three sessions of three hours each for the three-days program (option 1), or five sessions of 60-80 minutes each for the five-days program (option 2). Each session would be loaded with highly-engaging fun activities centered on NASA-based Science & Engineering, focusing STEM learning.
(STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
You can learn more about this program from KSC’s official website.
Miracle Learning has associated with KSC to arrange this Program for KSA Students!
If you are in Saudi Arabia, participating in this exciting program is very easy. Please go through the details, including our Program brochure (which has the day-wise program schedule) on our website. Register your kid(s) with us for the program, and we will do the best possible launch of this wonderful program!
Firstly, let’s identify every Quality that a Student would normally seek in a foreign country before it can become his/her first choice for international higher education. Basics first, right?
Here they go, in the no-compromise to the slightly-negotiable order:
- World-class Education that awards Globally-recognized Qualifications / Certifications.
- Wide Choice of educational programs, institutions, with sufficient permutations & combinations.
- Language. The Student must find it not very difficult to converse with the local society and his/her classmates from other countries. Sign language can be tough, right?!
- Affordability. The whole program ought not cost the Student a fortune.
- Safety. The foreign country must make the Student feel safe. Physically safe. Emotionally safe.
- Respect & Equality. There must not be any discrimination based on the Student’s race, religion, color of skin, or his/her pot belly.
- Friendly Government & Society.
- Job Opportunities. Students must be able to take up part-time jobs during their academic years. They must find good placement opportunities once they finish their courses.
- Decent Scholarships. That can take some financial load off the Student’s parents or sponsors.
- Good Climate. Healthy ecosystem.
- Low or medium cost of living.
- Good Healthcare.
- Freedom. To do every legitimate activity with no fear whatsoever.
- Technologically advanced. Highly reliable communication facilities. Mom and Dad back home are not to be missed!
- Immigration Possibilities. If the country gives preference to international students who wish to emigrate there, better.
- Lively campus life. The more outgoing, happening, enthusiastic, vibrant and multicultural the campus, the better.
- Easy Student Visa process & formalities.
- Beautiful nature. Who doesn’t like to live in a place that has the best of nature!
Well, a few of the Qualities above would need further break-up and clarity.
Like?
Like the very first one – “World-class Education”. It means the best of infrastructure, research facilities, technology, faculty, practical applications or hands-on experience, cross-disciplinary studies, development of soft skills (High order Thinking Skills – HoTS), physical education etc.
Like the “friendly government & society” quality. The foreign student must feel welcome, wanted, regarded and cared for.
Like “Language”. English is everywhere in Canada.
You mentioned Canada. Are you suggesting that Canada satisfies all of the above requirements? Does it have all these qualities?
Yes!
From the mandatory qualities to the desirable qualities identified above, Canada shows consistent interest & commitment to satisfy each one of them. Recently, Canada’s International Education Strategy announced its decision to double the number of full-time international students to 450,000 by 2022. The Canadian Council of Ministers of Education plans to attract more international students through a number of strategies that includes enhanced employment & immigration programs.
It’s also worth mentioning that Canada is ranked 4th in the world for scientific research. Canadian universities offer more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. There are more than 100 universities, 200 colleges & renowned institutes in Canada.
To know more about Canada’s Study-Abroad programs, offers and facilities from their Govt’s official website, click here. You can go directly to their “Why Canada” page as well.
Good! But what about the climate over there? The winter season in Canada can be rather harsh, right?
It can be, if you refuse to take guard, or ignore the precautionary measures that’s recommended by the local healthcare authority.
On another note, the winter season opens up amazing adventure sports like Skiing, Ice-skating etc that can be so endearing to the young & vibrant Student community! International Students can have such wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience during the winter season!
Click here to know why Canada is the hottest destination for Winter Sports.
Summary
There may exist other countries that offer better options / facilities for a selected few of the qualities that we have identified here. But, as a country that satisfies all of them to a high degree of competence, Canada stands tall in the arena of international education.
Study Abroad in Canada
One of the most important activities a student can do is drawing. Not only does it provide the framework for other artistic practices, such as painting, sculpture and printmaking, but it also provides a clear connection to reading, writing and mathematics in particular. Its the single most open form of art available. All you need (to begin with), is a pencil and a sheet of paper.
Talking of pencil and a sheet of paper, if you scroll down, your only view would be the colorful arts done by a small mind or to be more specific, a small mind with huge imaginations.
SHRUTHI JOE
Grade 5
St. Joseph High School, Pune
The lady of Music
The divine meet
The merry blue Environment
The symbol of imagination while sleeping
If this didn’t rejuvenate you, Your on the wrong planet… mundane!
Good work, young lady!
Keep drawing, keep improving, keep growing!
Home
The duty of parents to “Know Your Child First” is critical in today’s Information Age like never before. The numerous options as well as challenges that this age presents in the fields of higher education, career opportunities, and professional & personal lives is its main reason.
Knowing your child closer enough to guide him/her through the labyrinth of today’s fierce & complex world, is the first & foremost responsibility of parents.
The book “Know Your Child First” by the enthusiastic Educator Dr. K.R. Jayachandran from Saudi Arabia is highly valued for the information, advices and guidelines that it is packed with. It not only addresses parents, but also teachers, counsellors, social workers and everyone who deals with children at their tender developmental ages. The book empowers its reader to identify kids’ common learning problems. It arms the reader with tricks and strategies to help their kids succeed in Education and their social lives.
The book was officially released on 20 Nov 2020 by H.E. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, the Ambassador of India to KSA.
The 274-pages book covers all important aspects related to the education of children, especially of those children with special needs. The language used is lucid and unambiguous.
Miracle Learning Solutions strongly recommends Dr. K.R. Jayachandran‘s book “Know Your Child First” to all our friends, partners, clients, social media associates and well-wishers.
We wish Dr. K.R. Jayachandran all the best for his future endeavors!
You can buy the book online by visiting this link.
Miracle Learning Solutions’ special interest in the Book:
As a facilitator of quality educational services, Miracle Learning Solutions has always stressed the need for knowing our children first before choosing their higher education and career paths. Our Psychometric tests, which is the prelude to our Career Guidance and other educational services that includes our “study abroad” programs, is precisely intended for this purpose.
In order to achieve the best results from this “Know Your Child First” exercise, we must begin at a very early stage, like from grade 3. Miracle Learning has partnered with Singapore MathGym for their world-famous Flintelligence (Fluid Intelligence) program that’s intended for students between grades 3 and 8. This program begins with the assessment of your child’s FIQ first (Fluid Intelligence Quotient). It then takes the child through very systematic training on critical thinking, analytical thinking, lateral thinking, logical thinking, mathematical reasoning, visual reasoning, decision making, speed math etc.
Your child can take this FiQ assessment test for free.
You must use the access code FIQ201 while filling up the form, to avail this offer for free.
Say Cheese!… cause here’s an ambitious photographer who loves to snap what he sees. In fact, He defines nature photography through his clicks and shares it to the world. He indeed lives and adores the nature and his mind works like the midnight elves in duty. Nevertheless every picture of his has a beauty of its own, I mean just look at the picture above, it’s one of the best from the stack.
SATHWIK SUNIL
Grade 10
Jnanodaya Bethany English High School, Nellyady, Mangalore
The Cock and it’s Little Explorer
The nature’s Sky
A Croton Plant in Sathwik’s Front yard
A small stream flowing down.
The continuation of the flow
A part of the Puthige River running across Sathwik’s farmhouse
Good work, Young Man!
Keep shooting, keep improving, keep growing!
CONTACT US
The foremost objective of NEP 2020‘s Higher Education (HE) policies is to fix the fragmentation in higher educational ecosystem. In order to achieve this objective, the policy makers propose to transform all HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) into large multidisciplinary universities, colleges and HEI clusters / Knowledge Hubs. Each of these multidisciplinary formations will grow to have 3,000 or more students over a period of time.
These Large Higher Education Institutes will:
- increase resource efficiency – both material and human
- build vibrant communities of scholars and peers
- break down harmful silos
- develop active research communities across disciplines including cross-disciplinary research
- enable students to become well-rounded across disciplines including artistic, creative, and analytic subjects as well as sports
The “Restructuring and Consolidation” policy-initiatives require every HEI to become one of the following three:
- Research-intensive University
- Teaching-intensive University
- Autonomous degree-granting College (AC)
Autonomous degree-granting College (AC) will grant undergraduate degrees, and is primarily focused on undergraduate teaching.
HEIs will have the autonomy and freedom to move gradually from one category to another.
The new set of HE policies give enhanced focus and attention to Research and community engagement, along with high quality teaching and multidisciplinary learning. Every HEI will support other HEIs in their development, contribute to various fields of practice including faculty training for the higher education system, and also render support to school education.
Following are a few policy decisions towards Institutional Consolidation in Higher Education:
- Single-stream HEIs & ‘affiliated colleges’ will be phased out over time.
- The present complex nomenclature of HEIs such as ‘deemed to be university’, ‘affiliating university’, ‘affiliating technical university’, ‘unitary university’ will be replaced by ‘university’.
- Every existing college would develop into either an Autonomous degree-granting College (AC), or a constituent college of a multidisciplinary University.
- Institutions will have the option to run Open Distance Learning (ODL) and online programs in order to enhance their offerings, improve access, increase GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio), and provide opportunities for lifelong learning.
Conclusion:
Every Educational System tends to become fragmented over a period of time. In order to fix this issue, periodical intervention and correction is required. The System in question must also be given a revised sense of purpose, unity and direction during this intervention. NEP 2020’s policies on Higher Education will revamp India’s Higher Education System.
Note: We recommend that you check our previous blogs on NEP 2020. You may use the following links:
Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
Student-centric Policies in School Education
Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
Policies on School Infrastructure
Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
NEP 2020: Introduction to Higher Education
Abstract and Deep Sense arts…. big name huh! but the content’s even more bigger. Teens these days are so productive that I wonder am barren. To be honest, I don’t know how they manage to do such a good job every single time. Head down to these paintings and you will see it for yourself. These are some abstract and deep sense arts by Shreya.
SHREYA JOE
Grade 12
Loyola Junior College, Pashan, Pune
Friends forever
This painting here falls into sensational category, it says everything about Friendship, if I had to describe it; In this colorful world lies happiness and love, if there wasn’t a thing called a friend, then that would be straight boring life. The love between a friend is forever. The infinity symbol shows it all. If this doesn’t make you happy then I don’t know what will.
Geometric abstract art
This here is an abstract art, the painting itself says it’s name. I love this type of art, simply because its colorful, unexplainable and just abstract…
There are some more of em’ down the page. Describing them all would be a very tough job.
Colourful nature leaf art
The night forest and the blue sky.
The Zodiac Sign Libra holding the Balance.
Good work, young lady!
Keep drawing, keep improving, keep growing!
CONTACT US
Firstly, NEP 2020 establishes a holistic education philosophy at the root level of India’s Educational System through a 5+3+3+4 Schooling structure. Then, more importantly, it approaches the HE (Higher Education) System with a higher degree of farsightedness and thoroughness.
Ref: The 66-paged PDF document, titled “National Education Policy 2020 – Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India“, available on MHRD’s website.
Note: We recommend that you check our previous blogs on NEP 2020, which covers the 5+3+3+4 Schooling structure adequately. You may use the following links:
Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
Student-centric Policies in School Education
Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
Policies on School Infrastructure
Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
Vision:
Develop India as envisioned in its Constitution – a democratic, just, socially-conscious, cultured and humane nation upholding liberty, equality, fraternity and justice for all.
Mission:
Create good, thoughtful, well-rounded and creative individuals through developing character, ethical and Constitutional values, intellectual curiosity, scientific temper, creativity, spirit of service and 21st century capabilities across a range of disciplines including sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, languages, as well as professional, technical and vocational subjects.
Core observations of NEP 2020 regarding Higher Education:
- The purpose of quality HE is much more than the creation of greater opportunities for individual employment (or simply, jobs).
- HE represents the key to more vibrant, socially engaged, cooperative communities and a happier, cohesive, cultured, productive, innovative, progressive and prosperous nation.
- HE must prepare students for more meaningful and satisfying lives. It must also enable economic independence.
Major issues faced by the existing Higher Education System:
- A severely fragmented ecosystem.
- Inadequate emphasis on the development of cognitive skills & learning outcomes.
- Rigid separation of disciplines, with early specialization and streaming of students into narrow areas of study.
- Limited access, particularly in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, with few HEIs that teach in local languages.
- Limited teacher and institutional autonomy.
- Inadequate mechanisms for merit-based career management and progression of faculty & institutional leaders.
- Lesser emphasis on research at most universities and colleges, and lack of competitive peer-reviewed research funding across disciplines.
- Suboptimal governance and leadership.
- An ineffective regulatory system.
- Large affiliating universities resulting in low standards of undergraduate education.
NEP 2020 proposes the following changes to handle the issues identified above:
- Move towards a HE system consisting of large, multidisciplinary universities and colleges.
- Shift to a more multidisciplinary undergraduate education.
- Bring in faculty and institutional autonomy.
- Revamp curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and student support for enhanced student experience.
- Reaffirm the integrity of faculty and institutional leadership positions through merit appointments and career progression based on teaching, research and service.
- Establish a National Research Foundation to fund outstanding peer-reviewed research, and to actively seed research in universities and colleges.
- Govern HEIs through highly-qualified independent boards having academic and administrative autonomy.
- Implement “light but tight” regulation by a single regulator for higher education.
- Effect increased access, equity, and inclusion through a range of measures, including greater opportunities for outstanding public education:
– scholarships by private/philanthropic universities for disadvantaged and underprivileged students.
– online education, and Open Distance Learning (ODL).
– all infrastructure and learning materials to be accessible and available to learners with disabilities.
NEP 2020 elaborates its policies on HE under the following 11 heads:
- Quality Universities and Colleges.
- Institutional Restructuring and Consolidation.
- Towards a More Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education.
- Optimal Learning Environments and Support for Students.
- Motivated, Energized and Capable Faculty.
- Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education.
- Teacher Education.
- Reimagining Vocational Education.
- Catalyzing Quality Academic Research in All Fields through a new National Research Foundation.
- Transforming the Regulatory System of Higher Education.
- Effective Governance and Leadership for HE Institutions (HEIs).
We’ll explore the above topics adequately in separate/dedicated blogs. Please follow us on Social Media so that you’ll be notified when we publish blogs.
Miracle Learning Solutions Facebook Page
Miracle Learning Solutions LinkedIn Page
Timelines for Higher Education:
By 2025:
- At least 50% of India’s Students to have exposure to vocational education, through the School and HE systems.
By 2030:
- All Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to become multidisciplinary, positioned well to gradually increase student strength to the desired levels of one-thousand and above.
- There must be at least one large multidisciplinary HEI in or near every district of the country.
- Only educationally-sound, multidisciplinary, and integrated teacher education programs shall be in force.
- All stand-alone TEIs (Teacher Education Institutions) will be required to convert to multidisciplinary institutions. If they are dysfunctional, they may be shut down.
- The 4-year integrated B.Ed. offered by multidisciplinary HEIs to become the basic qualification for school teachers.
By 2035:
- The system of ‘affiliated colleges’ to be gradually phased out through a system of graded autonomy.
- All HEIs in India to become independent self-governing institutions, pursuing innovation and excellence, through graded accreditation and autonomy.
- All HEIs to be incentivized, supported and mentored, and must become autonomous with an empowered BoG (Board of Governors).
By 2040:
- All Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that are already multidisciplinary institutions by 2030 to have larger student enrolments preferably in the thousands.
Summary:
NEP 2020 makes it very clear that the purpose of the country’s Higher Education system is not merely to prepare its youth for jobs. While enabling the youth with all necessary skills for their employment in various roles, the HE system must ensure that they become good & productive Citizens of the country, and are happy & satisfied with both their individual and collective lives.
Everything you see has something featuring behind it, surprisingly we humans make those stories because we are the only ones to have the mind to understand. Talking of stories, why don’t you have a look at a feature of a 13 year old’s life about her Best Friends Forever.
SISA SIBY
Grade 7, International Indian School, Riyadh.
My Best Friends Forever
For me, my Best friends are like my siblings. They are amazing, awesome, trustworthy, I’m running out of words. I love them so much. We spend most of the time either chatting or hanging out.
I have best friends that are not part of my childhood Linett & Nuha and that are part of my childhood Vedha and Lakshita. They’re very sweet and have kind personality. I personally would never forget them. Oh! my bad that’s why they’re called best friends forever.
Veda is an year older than me. Here’s how we became friends, long story short her mom and my mom were friends. So, that’s how we became best friends forever, she’s a supportive person just like her family.
Next, Lakshita; she’s the same age as me. We became friends, through our moms. She’s so awesome to hang out with and is kindhearted. We usually call her by the name Lucky.
These two are my childhood best friends. Since I live in a different country we don’t really talk that much but when I travel to India, we hangout most of the time and chat about what’s going on with our lives and all that fun stuff.
On the other hand, these are my friends living in Saudi Arabia.
First is Linett. We actually met in a community gathering, when I was playing with her friends and she walked up to me and told me that they’re her friends and that I should stop playing with them (in a nice way) then I was like “OK”. However, our moms were talking to each other. We both walk up to our moms and they introduced us to each other. That’s pretty much how we became best friends. She’s a loving-kind and an amazing person.
Next is Nuha. We met at school. Our friendship was born when I changed my third language from French to Marathi because the only French teacher in our school, left. That’s how I became a part of the class where the Marathi girls were. Then my class teacher introduced me as the new Marathi girl. Nuha was like ‘huh! new Marathi girl?’ I’m also a Marathi girl… She was kind of loud and then onwards we also became BFFs. Sometimes we have fights but that’s again the sweetest part of friendship. She’s a funny person and she makes our whole class laugh always.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to the other, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” – C.S. Lewis
Good work, young lady!
Keep writing, keep improving, keep growing!
Going to Uncle Sam for higher studies can be easier and far more efficient if you have an educational services provider like Miracle Learning Solutions to assist you! We can help you avail the best/maximum scholarships and/or financial aid that you’re eligible for, find out the best University that can fulfill your career aspirations, and advise you on every possibility like joining a community college first and later transferring to a College/University (the “2+2” years combo) that can save you thousands of dollars.
High-level Steps of the Admission Process:
- Choose the University/College/Institute
(Finding out the scholarships/financial aid available, is a part of this step)
- Apply for admission & scholarships/financial aid
- Apply for Student Visa
- Travel to US, and join the course
Let’s check each step a little closer:
Step 1.
Finding out the best University/College/Institute for you:
The choices for higher education in US is humongous! For example, there are over 1,000 universities in the US that offer graduate degrees. You’ll need lots of time to explore them sufficiently.
After making the firm decision on the course that you would pursue, which must be based on the psychometric analysis and other assessments/tests that would have exposed the best career path suitable to your personality, you start exploring the options.
You may go through this phase yourself, taking ample time. Or, you can enroll with Miracle Learning Solutions for proper guidance, which will save you time. The more time you spend in this phase, the better.
Every University/College has its own rules for scholarship/financial aid, which you must check before selecting it for your higher studies. Ensure you interact with the University/College officials to clearly verify what you are eligible for, to avoid last-minute surprises and disappointment. If funding is not an issue for you, you can boldly choose the best institute no matter what it offers as scholarship/financial aid.
The accreditation and standing of the University/College with the US government must also be verified in this phase. Ensure it is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). It must also have regional and/or national accreditation. You may use the following websites to verify these:
SEVP-certification
U.S. Department of Education
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Your selection must be based on:
- Academic merit & placement of the University, and its accreditation
- Your financial position
- The scholarship and/or financial aid that the institute offers
- Locality that decides the cost of living and other social factors/elements
- Whether you have other options like Community College – University combination (the “2+2” years combo)
- (Personal elements like friends & relatives in the US)
Ideal Timeline:
You must take up this phase at least 12 months prior to the beginning of the academic year that you wish to enroll for, which can give you close to one month’s time for selecting the University/College. Please refer to the graphical representation on Admission Process Timeline, given later in this blog. Miracle Learning Solutions recommends you begin this phase 18 months or earlier, so that you’ll get sufficient time for all phases.
Step 2.
The Admission Application Process:
The Admission process varies with each University/College.
The last date to submit the Application can be any time between November and January for students who wish to begin courses the following September. You must stay vigilant to readily know any variation to this vital deadline for your admission year.
The key requirement is to finalize the University/College as early as possible, so that you can start working on the admission process well in time. The set of documents that they need (for both admission and scholarships/financial aid), the admission tests that you may have to take (like TOEFL, SAT), and any other formalities that may add from time to time – the earlier you are aware of these, the better.
Please understand that the “Application Submitting Process” here is not an easy task. Students will need to furnish various documents, collect recommendations, submit original work to prove their mettle (like writing essays), route the results of required standard examinations, and undertake other activities as the institute demands, which can alter every year.
Key points:
- Please know that the Admission Application package must contain the application & supporting documents to avail scholarships and/or financial aid that you are eligible for.
- Never hurry up through this phase. Take adequate time.
- It’s highly recommended that you go through an educational services provider like Miracle Learning Solutions in this phase, to avoid last-minute rejections.
Ideal Timeline:
You must take up this phase at least 11 months prior to the beginning of the academic year that you wish to enroll for, which can give you a minimum of one month’s time for preparing the application package. If you follow what Miracle Learning Solutions recommends for the first phase (18 months or more), you’ll get enough time to complete this phase in the most satisfying manner.
Step 3.
Apply for Student Visa:
This phase begins when the University/College/Institute, which is SEVP-certified (Student and Exchange Visitor Program), accepts your Admission Application, and issues the I-20 and DS-2019 forms to you.
US government offers three student visa types – F, J & M.
F Student Visa: for study at an accredited U.S. college or university, or to study English at an English language institute.
J Exchange Visa: for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study.
M Student Visa: for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US.
Based on where you belong in the F, J & M Visa categories, you’ll submit the Application.
Miracle Learning Solutions can help you secure the required Visa in a hassle-free manner. Please be reminded that rejections in this phase, which is not uncommon, can be viewed seriously, and it may even end your Study-in-US dreams!
You may use the following websites to know more about the Visa application procedure:
Step 4.
Travel to US, and join the course:
Please know that you are not allowed to enter the United Stated more than 30 days prior to the start of your I-20 or DS-2019. Ensure you have the necessary documents to be presented before the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers upon your arrival in US.
Please check with your University/College about the documents that you have to carry, and attend the pre-departure orientation programs that they may conduct, well before your departure to US.
The Ideal Sequence that Miracle Learning Solutions (MLS) envisages for you:
- You decide you want to study in the US during your high-school.
- You enroll for the “Study Abroad Program” with MLS some time between your 8th and 11th grade.
(all steps from this stage, which are performed until you don’t finish your 12th grade, are efficiently assisted by MLS)
- You are hand-held, guided, motivated & prepared for your higher studies in US.
- Your personality type, natural skills, aptitude and attitude are identified. The best career path for you is decided.
- You start exploring the Universities/Colleges/Institutes in the US, under the able guidance of MLS.
- You verify all Scholarships/financial aid options. You double-check everything with the Institute officials.
- You also consider the “Community College Study -> transferring to University” option (the “2+2” years combo)
- You choose the best option based on all factors that affect you, like finance, time, contacts in US, your health conditions.
- You identify the exact admission process for the specific University/College/Institute that you have selected.
- You start preparing the Admission Application Package. You take tests like SAT that the Institute requires, as well as English language proficiency tests like TOEFL.
- You pass the tests comfortably, thanks to the coaching & guidance that you have been receiving from MLS over the last couple of years.
- Your application package is submitted well in time, may be on the first practical date in the application acceptance window!
- Your application is accepted. The institute issues the I-20 and DS-2019 forms.
- You are offered the promised Scholarship/financial aid, which you are already aware of.
- Your Visa application is submitted well in time. It is accepted without any hindrance.
- You attend the interview by the US Embassy/Consulate officials in the nearest locality.
- Your Student Visa is approved, issued.
- MLS arranges for your travel to US, pick-up in US & accommodation in US.
- You keep consistent contact with the Institute in US for the pre-departure formalities. You give them all required information like your vaccination records. Shortcomings are addressed well in time.
- You travel to US as per the Visa regulations, and join the orientation program at the Institute.
Miracle Learning Solutions can (conditionally) continue to support you until you don’t feel comfortable in US.
Please reach us if you need more information. Please follow us on Social Media to track updates on international education.
Useful links:
5 Steps to Admission in the US for International Students
Scholarships and Financial aid
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I might only know to sharpen the pencil to its finest, but these miraculous artists know to sharpen their art to its finest beauty, moreover they are the First prize winners in the World Malayalee Council’s art competition held during the Onam celebration this year at Riyadh.
You are really hitting your stride!
Afreen Shehzadi
Grade 9, International Indian Public School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Al Alisha Nijas
Grade 11, Al Yasmin International School, Malaz, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Good work, young ladies!
Keep drawing, keep improving, keep growing!
Reading & reflecting on Quotes is a great way to enrich one’s mind. They can inspire us, guide us, educate us.
Miracle Learning Solutions presents here twenty-five wonderful quotes on Study Abroad. Please go through each, and strengthen your resolve to study abroad!
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
– Saint Augustine
“Study abroad is the single-most effective way of changing the way we view the world.”
– Chantal Mitchell
“I was surprised… by how easy the act of leaving was, and how good it felt. The world was suddenly rich with possibility.”
– Jack Kerouac
“It’s a big world out there, it would be a shame not to experience it.”
– Jo Andrews
“Not all classrooms have four walls.”
– Anonymous
“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.”
– Aldous Huxley
“Change your language, and you change your thoughts.”
– Karl Albrecht
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”
– Terry Pratchett
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”
– Einstein
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
– Neale Donald Walsch
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
– Helen Keller
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
– Mark Twain
“What we learn with pleasure we never forget.”
– Alfred Mercier
“The world is big, and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”
– John Muir
“Simple exchanges can break walls down between us, for when people come together and speak to one another and share a common experience, then their common humanity is revealed.”
– Barack Obama
“If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel – as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them – wherever you go.”
-Anthony Bourdain
“The best journeys answer questions that in the beginning you didn’t even think to ask.”
– Jeff Johnson
“Nothing Adventured, Nothing Attained.”
– Peter McWilliams
“And then I realized adventure was the best way to learn.”
– Anonymous
“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond, and we cease to be alone.”
– Wendell Berry.
“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
– Mary Anne Radmacher
“You can never understand one language until you understand at least two.”
— Geoffrey Willans
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
– Nelson Mandela
“It’s not about going to a new place, but learning new ways to think.”
– Sanjay Jhingan
🔖 A few drawings from Teresa Anna Shaji who expresses her concepts effortlessly, and dedicates her best to everything she sketches. Teresa is a student of Grade 8 (aged 13 years), St. Mary’s Girls’ High School, Athirampuzha, Kottayam, Kerala:
Good work, young lady!
Keep drawing, keep improving, keep growing!
In the month of Aug 2020, the UK government took a U-turn on A-level exam grades that were awarded to High School students without conducting the formal A-level examinations because of COVID-19 pandemic.
Let’s take a look at what has happened, chronologically:
- The UK government shuts down all Schools by 20 Mar 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- As the pandemic does not show any sign of alleviation during the next couple of months, the government cancels GCSE and A-level like exams in May/June 2020.
- With the COVID-19 situation still not improving satisfactorily, the government announces a series of decisions towards University undergraduate Admission for 2020-21. The foremost of these decisions is the announcement that the exam regulator Ofqual, along with other exam boards, will work with Teachers to provide A-level grades based on teacher assessments, coursework, mock results and a few other criteria.
- Another important announcement made is the restriction on the number of Students who can be admitted to undergraduate programs in Universities for 2020-21, to allow better pandemic fighting measures.
- On 13 Aug 2020, the Government announces A-level grades. The algorithm developed by Ofqual lowered the marks or grades predicted by Teachers by almost 40%, which causes widespread complaints. Ofqual‘s algorithm is criticized for penalizing disadvantaged students, and is termed unfair by many!
- As usual, Universities open phone lines to complete the admission process – offering remaining places on under-subscribed courses to eligible students, and to make the other necessary adjustments. Many students who were predicted to score better grades fared lower because of the Ofqual‘s algorithm, and their admissions are either put on hold or marked “conditional”. A great number of students suddenly lose confidence about getting the subject/university of their first choice. All these cause great unrest and panic among students and parents. There’s protest everywhere.
- On 17 August 2020, the Government takes a U-turn, and decides to award grades based on teacher assessment, over-riding the output from the Ofqual‘s algorithm.
- To address complaints from Students who got better grades because of Ofqual‘s algorithm, the Government issues another order saying that Students could use the higher result out of the two methods. Whichever is the higher one between Teacher’s prediction and Ofqual‘s algorithm, would be finalized as the Student’s A level grade. These decisions cause an inflation in A-level grades.
- Students who are unsatisfied with both their calculated grade and the teacher-assessed grades can take exams in the autumn of 2020, it is announced.
- To prevent universities from making sudden changes to the undergraduate offers that they had already made, such as changing a “conditional” status to an “unconditional” status, or altering entry requirements, the government calls for a two-week pause.
- Government removes the temporary student number controls that it issued earlier, to handle the inflation in A-level grades and other associated issues.
- Politicians calls for better flexibility by universities in admitting students to courses, to honor all offers that Universities have made to Students.
- It is feared that the increased number of Admissions will cause lack of capacity, staffing, accommodation and facilities, especially while trying to do justice to COVID-19 safety measures.
While the issues mentioned above are least likely to affect international undergraduate admissions in UK, though a lesser number is expected in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a couple of takeaways from what has happened in UK:
- There’s no guarantee that a particular examination would happen as it is planned originally. So, let’s not rely on any specific examination for the desired result in our academic life!
- We must take every examination seriously because its result could be considered to an unexpected degree for the final grading in unforeseen situations like the one we have already seen.
- We must put our best efforts to stay in the good books of our teachers. Steady attendance in classes, consistent performance, sincere efforts to learn, honest behavior and a pleasant attitude are some of the vital aspects that would help us here.
- Do not procrastinate. Stick to your timetables. Avail every chance like it’s your last chance.
Let nothing discourage us!
Let us all learn well from the unforeseen situations that COVID-19 pandemic is taking us through!
Miracle Learning Solutions wishes you all the best!!
Latest update: Ofqual chief Sally Collier steps down after exam chaos!
Here’s a few drawings from Sayujya Sunil, Grade 6 (aged 11 years), Jnanodaya Bethany P.U. College, Nellyady, Karnataka, India:
Good work, young lady!
Keep drawing, keep improving, keep growing!
Introduction:
An environment that is conducive to learning is critical for an efficient Education System. The environment must be safe, neat & clean, peaceful, caring, tolerant, impartial, steady, corrective but not punishing, accountable, warm, responsive and inclusive. All these properties assume greater importance when it comes to School Education (from the pre-school stage to the pre-university stage) because that’s when the System either makes or breaks young minds!
The environment must prepare Students with the necessary Life Skills besides academic skills. India’s NEP 2020 takes great care to address the common issues related to the learning Environment, and proposes measures to keep it in top shape & form. The new Education System takes over a kid when she or he is just three years old, and that certainly puts enormous responsibility on the System.
That the local community of every School is considered a significant part of the Learning Environment, is a core aspect of India’s NEP 2020.
The environment significantly affects and controls every element of the Education System, NEP 2020 rightly observes.
Document Referred: National Education Policy 2020 (PDF format – 60 pages) by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The NEP 2020 is a vast document, with elaborate sections of “School Education”, “Higher Education”, “Other Key Areas of Focus” (like ‘Adult Education‘) and “Making it Happen” (implementation). We (Miracle Learning Solutions) attempt to briefly cover every important point of this detailed policy document, in our own words. For easy reading, we have divided this large document into multiple parts, and this part (Part 5) addresses “School Education: Policies on the Learning Environment”.
To read the other parts, please use the links below:
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
An Ideal Schooling Environment, as envisaged by NEP 2020:
What are the important environment-related policies/remarks in NEP 2020?
- The environment must support the mission to eliminate “rote learning” (by-heart learning), and must favor the student-centric objective “learn how to learn”.
- Every attribute of the Environment must promote “discovery-based learning”.
- It must allow multi-disciplinary learning, pushing a holistic approach to education.
- The environment should enliven the feel of India, its heroes and honor, in the minds of Students.
- The Local community must be considered a part of the Schooling Environment.
- It must set the stage for a simplified curriculum & highly-engaging pedagogy.
- It ought to minimize student drop-out cases, and help bring drop-outs back to Schools.
- Students with impaired abilities and disadvantaged backgrounds must find better support in the Environment.
- The Learning Environment must empower teachers.
- It must discourage commercialization of Education and involvement of money-minded Private parties.
- Vocational training and development of soft skills, cognitive skills & life skills must be highly enabled by the Environment.
- It must take good care of the physical & mental health of Students.
- The environment must promote scientific temper, peer-tutoring attitude and sportsman spirit among Students.
- It must always be in sync with Digital Technology and modern technological trends.
- It must have the commitment to uphold India’s “Unity in diversity” principle.
- It must not allow disparity in any form. At the same time, gifted students and exceptional talents must be recognized, nurtured well, and be allowed to scale greater heights!
- Students must find good “role models” in the learning environment.
- The environment must promote the noble vision of “education to all”.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the policies on learning environment:
1. Eliminate “rote learning” (by-heart learning); emphasize the principle “Learn how to learn”:
This is in line with the requirements of the fast-paced & ever-changing world, where “smart working” is preferred over “hard working”, and where abilities to “adapt swiftly” and “innovate spontaneously” assumes critical importance. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program recommends “Discovery-based learning” & “Discussion-based learning” to achieve this objective. The environment must be adequately empowered to support these critical objectives.
2. Enhanced focus on India and the Student’s own locality:
The policy-makers emphatically state the importance of developing interest, respect and appreciation for India, in every student’s mind. Every school’s own locality must also be studied, along with its own heroes and the worthy. The learning environment has to set the stage for this to happen.
3. Developing soft skills, cognitive skills & Life skills:
The environment must support adequate training in soft / cognitive / Life skills like teamwork, communication, resilience, emotional intelligence, problem-solving techniques, creativity, critical thinking, ethics, spirit of service, democratic spirit, cleanliness, courtesy, etiquette, scientific temper, empathy, compassion, courage, perseverance & grit, liberty, responsibility, pluralism, equality, justice, tolerance, human rights, gender equality, non-violence, crisis management and leadership.
4. The idea of School Complexes / Clusters:
NEP 2020 proposes School Complexes or Clusters to improve the standard of Learning Environment.
Within a radius of 5 to 10 miles, there can be one Secondary School and multiple schools that offer foundational / preparatory / middle school grades. Resources like Libraries, science laboratories & equipment, computer labs, sports facilities & equipment, Hostels, Housing area, Play grounds etc can be shared. Teachers, counselors, technical and maintenance staff can be shared; extracurricular activities can be grouped & improved; various clubs/circles to promote healthy competition and peer-tutoring among students can be formed. Examples of such clubs/circles could be Science Circles, Math Circles, Music Performance Circles, Chess Circles, Poetry Circles, Language Circles, Drama Circles, Debate Circles and Sports Circles. These can certainly improve the standard of the Learning Environment to a great extent.
Improved support for children with disabilities can be given in School Clusters.
5. The role of the Local Community:
The local community of every School or School Cluster can play a major role in setting up the right environment for holistic education. Vocational training and Life skills training will be more effective with the active participation of the local community.
6. Measures to minimize expenses by parents:
The overall education environment must not cause financial burden on parents.
NEP 2020 ensures free education to the disadvantaged and under-privileged. The simplified curriculum, assessment criteria and overall learning approach does not require special coaching/tuition for Students, which can save money for parents. Lesser number of text books, together with the provision to print PDFs, can save more money. Then, NEP 2020 has another program called “Adult Education”, using which parents can pick up skills to tutor their kids, which can further reduce the education expenses.
Conclusion:
A good Learning Environment is not just good buildings or locality. It comprises competent teachers & supporting staff, quality education policies or principles, decent infrastructure, supportive local community, peaceful ambiance, efficient administrative & governing machinery, sincere commitment to the principles of Equity & Inclusion, and great collaboration by all parties. It is inclusive of every element in the Education System, which NEP 2020 recognizes and gives great importance to.
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
Introduction:
A decent infrastructure is essential for quality education, India’s NEP 2020 emphatically observes. It proposes “School Complexes”, or “School Clusters”, with better private/public participation to ensure quality physical environment in School Education. There’s focused attention on SEDGs (Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups) and disadvantaged areas of the country, with respect to school infrastructure development. Where physical schools are not feasible, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) facilities will be enabled.
Section 5.9 of NEP 2020 document states:
“A very first requirement in this direction will be to ensure decent and pleasant service conditions at schools. Adequate and safe infrastructure, including working toilets, clean drinking water, clean and attractive spaces conducive to learning, electricity, computing devices, and internet, library and sports and recreational resources will be important to provide to all schools in order to ensure that teachers and students including children of all genders and children with disabilities, receive a safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environment and are comfortable and inspired to teach and learn in their schools.”
Document Referred: National Education Policy 2020 (PDF format – 60 pages) by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The NEP 2020 is a vast document, with elaborate sections of “School Education”, “Higher Education”, “Other Key Areas of Focus” (like ‘Adult Education‘) and “Making it Happen” (implementation). We (Miracle Learning Solutions) attempt to briefly cover every important point of this detailed policy document, in our own words. For easy reading, we’ve divided the whole document into multiple parts. This is the fourth part, addressing “Policies on School Infrastructure”.
To read the other parts, please use the links below:
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
A major policy decision that directly affects Schooling Infrastructure:
NEP 2020 constitutes the new 5+3+3+4 academic structure, re-configuring the existing 10+2 structure. A student will now enter into formal education at the age of three (3). The corresponding age ranges will be 3-8, 8-11, 11-14 and 14-18 years, respectively. The School Infrastructure (buildings, class room spaces, supporting facilities etc) must now suit the clearly-distinct four school categories.
- The first 5 years (Pre-school or Foundational) comprises 3 years of pre-school education & 2 years of lower primary schooling (grades 1 & 2)
- The second 3 years (Medium or Preparatory School) covers grades 3, 4 & 5.
- The third 3 years (Middle School) covers grades 6, 7 & 8.
- The last 4 years (High or Secondary School) would prepare students for University education. Grades 9 & 10 will be its first phase, and 11 & 12 will be the second phase.
Ideal School Infrastructure, as envisaged by NEP 2020:
Let’s look at the Schooling Infrastructure-related policies of NEP 2020:
- School complexes or Clusters, ideally one per District across the country, is recommended.
- Every School must have clean drinking water, clean & working toilets and pleasant classroom spaces.
- Public – Private Partnerships (PPP), in a properly regulated manner, is allowed/promoted.
- There will be specifications & standards for every building and physical element in the School infra.
- To enable “education for all”, the specifications & standards might be relaxed in exceptional cases, with proper permission/authorization.
- Philanthropic private participation will be encouraged to improve the physical conditions of Schools across the country.
- Where physical schools cannot be made available, Open and Distance Learning must be enabled.
- There will be enhanced focus on under-privileged or under-developed areas of the country. Principles of Equity & Inclusion must always be followed.
Let’s check a few infra-related policies a little closer:
1. Expectations on the Schooling Infrastructure and Learning Environment:
Starting from the choice of locale, special care will be taken to ensure that the School environment is conducive to learning. Right from Anganwadis, every School must have high-quality infra (including working toilets, clean drinking water, clean and attractive spaces etc.), play equipment and well-trained teachers & supporting staff.
NEP 2020 proposes School Complexes or Clusters to improve the standard of education and administration. Within a radius of 5 to 10 miles, there can be one Secondary School (grades 9 to 12) and multiple schools that offer foundational / preparatory / middle school grades. Resources like libraries, science laboratories & equipment, computer labs, sports facilities and equipment, hostels, housing area, play grounds etc can be shared. Teachers, counselors, technical and maintenance staff can be shared; extra-curricular activities can be grouped & improved; various clubs/circles to promote healthy competition and peer-tutoring among students can be formed. Examples of such clubs/circles could be Science Circles, Math Circles, Music Performance Circles, Chess Circles, Poetry Circles, Language Circles, Drama Circles, Debate Circles and Sports Circles.
Improved support for children with disabilities can be given in School Clusters.
2. Involvement of Private / external entities in Education:
Private schools or entities can participate in the School Clustering program. Only philanthropic Private participation is accepted. Every public school can be paired with a private school, wherever possible, to standardize and improve their quality. The whole system must gradually grow towards free education for all.
3. Steps to ensure Equity & Inclusion:
Disadvantaged districts / areas or classes of people across the country will be identified, and there will be intensified or concentrated effort to give them proper education, which includes development of better infrastructure. State/UT governments, Central govt and philanthropic private agencies would work together to achieve this aim.
4. Caring the disadvantaged / underprivileged / transgender / physically or mentally-challenged:
Education is the best tool to achieve economic and social equality. Doing justice to the Equity & Inclusion policy directives, adequate support will be given to every underprivileged student to ensure “education for all”. Free hostel accommodation, free bicycles, incentives in cash etc are only a few provisions to support them.
Where students are unable to attend physical schools, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs, or State Institutes of Open Schooling (SIOS) programs will be enabled.
The Government of India will constitute a ‘Gender-Inclusion Fund’ to build the nation’s capacity to provide a quality and equitable education for all girls as well as transgender students.
5. Controlled relaxation to certain rules, to enable education among the masses:
To handle extreme cases of disadvantaged sects, a few regulations can be relaxed if that would enable education. For example, if the qualifying criteria for a building to be termed as a School acts as a hindrance to Education in an otherwise impossible situation, the rule may be relaxed with caution and permission. In other words, the overemphasis on inputs, and the mechanistic nature of their specifications will be changed to suit the ground realities, without compromising the quality of education.
6. Reusing existing establishments, renewing them (like Anganwadis, Ashramshalas etc):
Existing infrastructure, mechanisms and staff must be reused in the implementation phase of NEP 2020. Changes must be smooth, gradual and inclusive of the existing infrastructure.
Renewing Anganwadis:
The Anganwadi Centres will be strengthened with high quality infrastructure, play equipment and well-trained Anganwadi workers/teachers. Every Anganwadi must have a well-ventilated, well-designed, child-friendly and well-constructed building with an enriched learning environment. Funds for this program will be provided by the Central and State/UT governments.
It’s time to summarize:
India is a fast-progressing Nation, especially with respect to all-around Infrastructure development. It’s quite natural that India’s new Education Policy gives significant attention to the infra development of the country’s Schools, Colleges, Universities and every other element that participates in the nation’s formal Education. With innovative concepts like School complexes or Clusters, public-private participation, together with the considerably enhanced budget allocation and a committed government machinery, a highly improved Schooling infrastructure does seem a closer reality!
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
Introduction:
NEP 2020 candidly states the present general condition of India’s Teaching staff & the teaching environment, and how their future ought to be. Let’s look at the following two sections from the School Education Policy document (quoted as is):
“Today, however, the status of the teacher has undoubtedly and unfortunately dropped. The quality of training, recruitment, deployment, service conditions and empowerment of teachers is not where it should be, and consequently, the quality and motivation of teachers does not reach the standards where it could be.”
………
“The new education policy must help reinstate teachers, at all levels, as the most respected and essential members of our society, because they truly shape our next generation of citizens. It must do everything to empower teachers, and help them to do their job as effectively as possible. The new education policy must help recruit the very best and brightest to enter the teaching profession at all levels, by ensuring teachers their livelihood, respect, dignity, and autonomy.”
Document Referred: National Education Policy 2020 (PDF format – 60 pages) by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The NEP 2020 is a vast document, with elaborate sections of “School Education”, “Higher Education”, “Other Key Areas of Focus” (like ‘Adult Education‘) and “Making it Happen” (implementation). We (Miracle Learning Solutions) attempt to briefly cover every important point of this detailed policy document, in our own words. For easy reading, we’ve divided the document into multiple parts, and this part addresses “School Education: Teacher-centric Policies”.
To read the other parts, please use the links below:
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
Ideal Teaching staff, as envisaged by NEP 2020:
What are the important Teacher-centric policies of India’s NEP 2020?
- Teachers will be empowered with improved educational qualification, teaching (and learning) environment, technological skills and remuneration packages.
- The 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree or its approved variant will eventually be the basic qualification for all Teachers.
- A large number of merit-based scholarships will be given to attract outstanding/excellent students to the Teaching profession, especially from rural areas.
- TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) will be strengthened to ensure that only the best talent enters this profession. The passion and motivation for Teaching will be specially gauged.
- Teachers will be encouraged to use a bilingual approach (use of the approved medium of instruction, along with the local language).
- Excessive transfers will be stopped, allowing teachers to build good bonding with their Students and the local community.
- Sharing and/or hiring of Teachers, especially Specialised Teachers, can be allowed in the newly proposed “School Complexes, Cluster” environment. The practice of hiring teachers on short-term contracts will eventually be phased-out.
- Teachers will not be put on duties that have no direct relation to teaching, like electioneering or cooking mid-day meals.
- Teachers will be given more autonomy and flexibility in choosing the finer aspects of pedagogy, which will suit the community and classroom environment that they deal with.
- There will be consistent programs to efficiently update Teachers with the latest trends and technology in Teaching.
- NEP 2020 promises better recognition, rewards, incentives, opportunities for growth, and parity across all disciplines, for Teachers.
- ‘Special Educators’ will be created to teach/support students with disabilities, and those who need special care. Gifted or specially-talented students will have ‘Special Teachers’.
- Teachers will have critical roles in handling the Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) and School drop-outs, to ensure “education for all”.
- Teachers will have better representation and say in the School management committees.
- There will be clearly laid-out professional standards for Teachers (National Professional Standards for Teachers – NPST).
Let’s look at some of the policy aspects a little closer:
1. Empowering Teachers:
Well-qualified teaching staff, with psychometric qualities befitting a Teacher (a true “Guru”), will be chosen for the noble role. They will be respected, dignified, consistently trained, supported, rewarded, and will have favorable opportunities to grow in their career.
Technology to empower Teachers:
Teachers will be adequately trained to handle Smart Classes of the Information/Digital Age. Without any hindrance to their routine teaching activities, they will receive consistent training via physical mediums as well as digital platforms like Smart Phones (smart apps), DTH, Digital bulletins, Virtual conferences and online training sessions.
The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program:
This is a specialized program to strengthen and integrate all activities that improve professionalism of Teachers. Platforms (especially online platforms) will be developed and deployed for teachers to share ideas and best practices. Each teacher will be expected to participate in, say, 50 hours of CPD programs every year for their own professional growth.
2. Career Management and Progression:
Teachers who innovate well, and perform outstandingly will be recognized, and may be given salary raises, promotion, or incentives. To assess Teachers most proficiently, a system based on multiple parameters like peer reviews, attendance, commitment, hours of CPD, and other forms of service to the school and the community etc, will be developed by the State/UT Government.
3. Improved Academic Qualification:
Existing Anganwadi teachers will be taken through a six-month or one-year certification / diploma course based on whether they have 10+2 or lower qualification. Going forward, they will have to acquire the regular 4-year Integrated B.Ed. academic degree that NEP 2020 stipulates as the basic qualification for all School teachers. There’s also the provision of two-year or one-year B.Ed. program for aspirants with higher qualification in other academic disciplines. Every teacher will be given additional training based on his/her role or engagement with the System.
4. Specialized teachers to coach gifted students, exceptional talent:
B.Ed. programs may allow specialization in the education of gifted children, and Teachers with such specialization will be employed to coach them. Teachers will help gifted students to reach greater heights, involve them in peer-tutoring, and conduct accelerated mode of learning for them to fully utilize their potential.
5. No disparity across disciplines; no hard separations:
This rule is applicable to both Teacher and Student communities. Ensuring Equity, NEP 2020 strictly prohibits disparity in every aspect of teaching and learning. Every subject for teaching will have equal value, respect and chances. Teachers in various schools – foundational to secondary level – will have more or less the same pay, roles, importance and respect.
6. Involvement to handle school drop-out cases:
Teachers will be given incentives if they adopt innovative & effective measures to stop or minimize drop-out cases. India’s school dropout cases have always been high, which the new Education System will address with vigorous drive and focus. There will be government funding and special support to bring all dropouts back to school, and to block future cases.
7. Caring the disadvantaged / underprivileged / transgender / physically or mentally-challenged:
Specially qualified & trained teachers will be employed to teach/support the physically or mentally challenged students. The under-represented groups and areas of the Country will be identified and given special attention. The pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) will be adjusted to Students’ advantage in such cases / areas (like 25:1 rather than the standard 30:1).
Timelines to implement the new Policy:
- A common guiding set of National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) to be developed by 2022.
- The professional standards for Teachers will be reviewed and revised nationally in 2030.
- The minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated BEd by 2030.
- Teacher education will gradually be moved into multidisciplinary colleges and universities by 2030.
Policy revision frequency:
By the end of 2021, the Teachers Policy set will be revisited and updated by NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education), taking into account the new NCF (National Curriculum Framework) and the changing context of teacher education.
NCFTE (National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education) will be revised and adapted once in every five years, based on the changes in NCFs and emerging needs in Teacher Education.
NEP 2020 is determined to reinstate the dignity, respect and the high professional standards for Teachers. It details out the policies required to make this objective a reality. Only the best will be chosen for this noble profession, and they will be empowered with consistently updated Knowledge, highly enabled environment that’s conducive to Learning, sufficient autonomy and flexibility in customizing the pedagogy, greater opportunities for career growth, and competitive remuneration packages. The very-Indian “Guru culture”, in its full goodness, honor and glory, must be rediscovered, NEP 2020 envisages.
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
Which is the foremost Student-centric Policy revision of NEP 2020?
NEP 2020 constitutes the 5+3+3+4 structure, re-configuring the previous 10+2 academic structure (4+3+3+2). A student will now enter into formal education at the age of three (3). The corresponding age ranges will be 3-8, 8-11, 11-14 and 14-18 years in the new 5+3+3+4 structure, respectively.
- The first 5 years (Pre-school or Foundational) comprises 3 years of pre-school education & 2 years of lower primary schooling (grades 1 & 2)
- The second 3 years (Medium or Preparatory School) covers grades 3, 4 & 5.
- The third 3 years (Middle School) covers grades 6, 7 & 8.
- The last 4 years (High or Secondary School) would prepare students for University education. Grades 9 & 10 will be its first phase, and 11 & 12 will be the second phase.
Document Referred: National Education Policy 2020 (PDF format – 60 pages) by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The NEP 2020 is a vast document, with elaborate sections of “School Education”, “Higher Education”, “Other Key Areas of Focus” (like ‘Adult Education‘) and “Making it Happen” (implementation). We (Miracle Learning Solutions) attempt to briefly cover every important point of this detailed policy document, in our own words. For easy reading, we’ve divided the whole document into multiple parts. This is Part 2, addressing “School Education: Student-centric Policies”.
To read the other parts, please use the links below:
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
Ideal School Students, as envisaged by NEP 2020:
Let’s check the important Student-centric policies of NEP 2020:
1. Say NO to “rote learning” (by-heart learning), and get ready to “Learn how to learn”!
This is in line with the requirements of the fast-paced & ever-changing world, where “smart working” is preferred over “hard working”, and where abilities to “adapt swiftly” and “innovate spontaneously” assumes critical importance. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program recommends “Discovery-based learning” & “Discussion-based learning” to achieve this objective.
2. Give due importance to one’s mother-tongue!
The medium of instruction will be the student’s home language, up to 6th grade. The same is recommended until 8th grade. This policy will revitalize the otherwise-withering Indian languages, and is expected to give better comprehensive & expressive capabilities to students.
3. The Three-language learning paradigm:
Besides the student’s home language, there’s provision to learn two other Indian languages (from the 22 languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution). This approach is to promote Multilingualism, and it will begin in the Foundational Stage itself. Sanskrit will be an important option throughout the Schooling period.
4. The Multi-disciplinary learning approach:
Upholding the Holistic & Integrated style of education, every student would take lessons from various disciplines that would make him/her better-equipped to face the modern world. The BIGGER PICTURE is always kept in mind. As an output of this Policy, a Doctor of Medicine is most likely to have a reasonably-good grasp of arts, farming and music, say. Cool, right?!
5. Simplified and highly-engaging curriculum!
Why should formal education be boring & sometimes a torture?
Resorting to a simplified curriculum and engaging pedagogy, with minimum text books, students will now follow an activity-based, fun-filled learning style until 8th grade. There will be minimum load of text books on students, and their school bags will be much lighter! With each higher grade, the curriculum would slowly and steadily pick up momentum, adding material that would merge smoothly with the student’s learning curve.
6. The critical High School (or Secondary School) Stage is made a lot easier!
This is a critical phase, with four years of multidisciplinary study. It will build on the subject-oriented pedagogical and curricular style of the Middle Stage, with greater depth, greater critical thinking, greater attention to life aspirations, and greater flexibility and student choice. This phase will adequately prepare the Student for University education. Highly-engaging pedagogy will make this phase easier.
7. Enhanced focus on India:
Why should we ignore our local heroes, and be obsessed with the foreign ones?!
Students would be taught Indian culture, its heritage, traditions and its heroes in every sphere like Science, Mathematics, Medicine, Philosophy, Arts and Engineering. Indian scholars like Charaka and Susruta, Aryabhata, Bhaskaracharya, Chanakya, Madhava, Patanjali, Panini and Thiruvalluvar would be recognized. World-class institutions of ancient India, such as Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi will be academically rebuilt & revisited. This would develop better self-respect, confidence and appreciation for own country in the minds of students, which will go a long way towards national integration.
8. Let’s LIVE the principle Unity in Diversity!
India’s diversity in culture, religion, language and race must not hinder its progress as a Nation. Every student will be introduced to his nation’s diversity at a very young age, which will be developed consistently in higher grades. A module on student’s own “Identity” is included, to help him understand and interact with his Society better. The fact that Education is a great leveler and is the best tool for achieving Unity in Diversity will always be kept in mind. In the Middle grades (6 to 8), there’s this “The Languages of India” program, which will introduce & familiarize all major languages of the nation before Students. It’ll be fun, for sure!
9. Students have flexibility & better choices in the Secondary Schooling stage!
Students will have better flexibility in learning, where he/she can structure the curriculum starting from the secondary schooling stage. Subjects in physical education, arts, and vocational crafts offer choices.
10. Option to study foreign languages:
Students have the option to learn foreign languages in the secondary schooling stage. Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Spanish, or Russian can be some of the options.
11. Vocational Training:
Aligned to the holistic / multidisciplinary / integrated learning principle, every Student will take vocational training in the secondary schooling stage. Carpentry, Metal work, Pottery, Electrical work and Gardening / Farming are a few vocational crafts offered. Locally available talent or expertise (‘specialized instructors’) may be hired and utilized here.
12. Developing soft skills, cognitive skills & Life skills:
Students will be given adequate training on soft / cognitive / Life skills like teamwork, communication, resilience, emotional intelligence, problem-solving techniques, creativity, critical
thinking, ethics, Constitutional values, spirit of service, democratic spirit, cleanliness, courtesy, etiquette, scientific temper, empathy, compassion, courage, perseverance & grit, liberty, responsibility, pluralism, equality, justice, tolerance, human rights, gender equality, non-violence, global citizenship, crisis management, healthcare basics (like first-aid) and leadership. Don’t worry, all these will be done through interesting, entertaining and engaging activities!
Scientific explanations of the detrimental and damaging effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs will be given emphatically.
13. The much-needed special focus on Technology and the Digital world:
Great emphasis is given to technological education because of the direction that today’s world is taking towards digitization, automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Machine learning, AI, computational mathematics, computer science, data science, smart apps, Digital libraries etc are given due importance. Teachers will be given consistent technology training.
14. Caring the disadvantaged / underprivileged / transgender / physically or mentally-challenged:
Education is the best tool to achieve economic and social equality. Doing justice to the Equity & Inclusion policy directives, adequate support will be given to every underprivileged student to ensure “education for all”. Free hostel accommodation, free bicycles, incentives in cash etc are only a few provisions to support them.
Specially qualified teachers and supporting staff will be employed to teach/support the physically or mentally-challenged students. Local sign languages will be respected and taught, wherever possible and relevant. The under-represented groups of the Country will be identified and given special attention. The Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) will be adjusted to Students’ advantage in such cases / areas (like 25:1 rather than the standard 30:1).
Where students are unable to attend physical schools, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs, or State Institutes of Open Schooling (SIOS) programs will be enabled.
The Government of India will constitute a ‘Gender-Inclusion Fund’ to build the nation’s capacity to provide a quality and equitable education for all girls as well as transgender students.
15. Caring for Students’ all-around health:
Along with the existing mid-day meal program, a staple breakfast program will also be undertaken to ensure students’ physical health. Counselors, Mentors will be employed to support students in their emotional issues.
16. Positive Changes in Student assessment:
This must be happy news for all kids!
The student assessment methodology will be completely revamped to ensure transparency, simplicity and ease. Students will be tested for their conceptual understanding rather than rote-learning. Exam-fear will be a thing of the past, the policy envisages. The overall approach can be seen as ‘light but tight’.
There will be formal assessments in grades 3, 5 & 8, along with board examinations in 10 & 12. The Grade 3 examination would test basic literacy, numeracy and other foundational skills.
17. What about gifted students, exceptional talent?
Geniuses, please raise your hands!!
Specially talented or gifted students will be identified, utilized, promoted and nurtured to scale greater heights. They can be utilized in peer-tutoring. There will be accelerated mode of learning for them. BEd programs may allow specialization in the education of gifted children, and Teachers with such specialization will be employed to coach them.
18. No disparity across disciplines; no hard separations!
This rule is applicable to both Student and Teacher communities. Ensuring Equity, NEP 2020 strictly prohibits disparity in every aspect of teaching and learning. Every subject for learning will have equal value, respect and chances. Teachers in various schools – foundational to secondary level – will have more or less the same pay, roles, importance and respect.
19. Focus on Local Culture / flavor / language / personalities / teachers:
There will be adequate focus on the Student’s Local Place attributes. Its culture, flavor, folklore, traditions, language, heroes, eminent personalities, art forms etc will be given due importance. Teachers from the local community must find sufficient representation in every School’s teaching staff. Eminent local personalities / talents will be invited to formally teach and interact with Students. They can also be utilized in the “vocational training” module.
20. Special mention of “Foundational Literacy and Numeracy”:
One of the core purposes of Education is to ensure “Foundational Literacy and Numeracy” among all adults. Every adult must be able to read & write (at least in the native language), and do basic arithmetic functions. For the student community, foundational literacy and numeracy must be achieved by grade 3. For the whole of India, 2025 is the target year.
21. What’s NEP 2020’s take on the University entrance test?
Rote-learning must not be the criterion for University admission. Instead, it must be conceptual understanding, adaptability, innovativeness and the ability to learn. All admission test and process will be handled by a single Government agency, which will ensure standardization, transparency and focus.
Let’s summarize:
With promises of lighter school bags, highly-engaging pedagogy, lots of fun ‘n activities, easier examinations, multidisciplinary learning, concession to the poor & disadvantaged, breakfast & mid-day meal programs, and friendlier schooling environment & teaching staff, the new Policy set does seem appealing! If its realization or implementation can be equally good, there’s no doubt that Schooling will be lot more pleasing and exciting than what it is today!
NEP 2020: Introduction & Overview of School Education Policies
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
Introduction:
India is taking bigger strides in the path of progress, and is establishing its presence in every reputed field across the globe. Professionals from India have made their impressive entry into almost all Nations of the world. Aligning to the growing needs of the Digital world, and to address the common issues identified with the historical Indian professionalism, India has revised its National Education Policy in the year 2020.
The fact that India will have the highest youth population in the world over the next decade is another core factor behind the timing of its new Education Policy.
NEP 2020 is India’s first education policy of the 21st century.
Document Referred: National Education Policy 2020 (PDF format – 60 pages) by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
The NEP 2020 is a vast document, with elaborate sections of “School Education”, “Higher Education”, “Other Key Areas of Focus” (like ‘Adult Education‘) and “Making it Happen” (implementation). We (Miracle Learning Solutions) attempt to briefly cover every important point of this detailed policy document, in our own words. For easy reading, we’ve divided the whole document into multiple parts. This is Part 1, addressing “School Education: Introduction & Overview”.
To read the other parts, please use the links below:
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
Vision Statement:
“Build a world-class Education System that is rooted in Indian ethos, and aligned with the principles of Equity, Quality, Access, Affordability and Accountability, to transform India into a global knowledge superpower.”
Which is the most significant School Education Policy revision in NEP 2020?
Restructuring the 10+2 academic structure, NEP 2020 constitutes the 5+3+3+4 structure. A student will now enter into formal education at the age of three (3). The corresponding age ranges will be 3-8, 8-11, 11-14 and 14-18 years, respectively.
- The first 5 years (Pre-school or Foundational) comprises 3 years of pre-school education & 2 years of lower primary schooling (grades 1 & 2)
- The second 3 years (Medium or Preparatory School) covers grades 3, 4 & 5.
- The third 3 years (Middle School) covers grades 6, 7 & 8.
- The last 4 years (High or Secondary School) would prepare students for University education. Grades 9 & 10 will be its first phase, and 11 & 12 will be the second phase.
What are the main changes / improvements from the previous policies?
- Call to eliminate “rote learning” (by-heart learning); emphasize the principle “learn how to learn”.
- Start formal education at a very young age (three), under the program “Early Childhood Care and Education” (ECCE).
- Greater focus on India and Student’s local culture, while maintaining the Global outlook.
- Significant promotion of multi-disciplinary learning, taking a holistic approach.
- Simplified curriculum & highly-engaging pedagogy.
- Improved flexibility for students to choose subjects of their choice.
- Greater emphasis to one’s mother-tongue, while promoting Multilingualism.
- Significance to Technology as a means and subject of education.
- Changes in the structure of curriculum & pedagogy, school management / administration / inspections / environment-building, student assessment and teacher management.
- Marked effort to minimize student drop-out cases, and to bring drop-outs back to Schools.
- Special focus on unprivileged / disadvantaged students and students with impaired abilities.
- Marked empowerment of teachers and the learning environment.
- Commitment to eliminate commercialization of Education.
- Focus on vocational training, and on development of soft skills, cognitive skills and life skills.
- Commitment to uphold India’s “Unity in diversity” principle.
- No Disparity across disciplines / roles – no hard separation.
- Focus to achieve Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by all Citizens.
- Controlled relaxation of rules to enable literacy / education to all.
What’s the timeline to implement the new School Education Policy?
- A common guiding set of National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) to be developed by 2022.
- The whole Nation to achieve “foundational literacy and numeracy” by 2025.
- State/UT governments to group or rationalize schools by 2025.
- Quality early-childhood development, care and education, ensuring that all children entering Grade 1 are school-ready, to be achieved by 2030.
- The professional standards for Teachers will be reviewed and revised nationally in 2030.
- The minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated BEd by 2030.
- Teacher education will gradually be moved into multidisciplinary colleges and universities by 2030.
Is there any concerns / questions / grey area with respect to NEP 2020?
Yes. There’s a couple:
- Whether Hindi is going to be a part of the School curriculum in non-Hindi-speaking states, is not clear. On the same line, the 3-language approach needs clarity.
- When will the Student start learning English? Since the medium of instruction is the mother-tongue until 6th grade, will English be a secondary language? If so, which grade will start teaching English?
- The State or UT’s roles are not clearly defined. While their involvement is mentioned in many cases, there are grey areas with respect to their authority/autonomy/responsibility.
- While addressing the student drop-out issue, “family’s poverty” has been ignored. Child labor, which is the prime reason for drop-outs or absence-from-school issue, can be traced to family’s poverty.
Let’s summarize now:
The “School Education” policy revision in India’s NEP 2020 is a bold step towards modernized Education that’s aligned to the Digital Age. It addresses every detail required to ensure Equity, Inclusion, Quality and Competence. It is built on Indian ethos while maintaining the Global outlook. There’s clear intent to move away from rote-learning to adaptive or smart learning. The future goal of “free education to all” is made visible. If NEP 2020 can be implemented in its right spirit, commitment and completeness, it will take India to the forefront rank of Super-powers in Knowledge.
NEP 2020: Student-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Teacher-centric Policies in School Education
NEP 2020: Policies on School Infrastructure
NEP 2020: Policies on Learning Environment in Schools
