NEP 2020 Driving Improvement in School Education Quality: Centre

New Delhi: The Centre has said that the quality of education in schools across the country is improving under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with a stronger focus on competency-based learning, foundational literacy and holistic student development.

The Ministry of Education stated that the National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), established in 2023, is playing a key role in assessing learning outcomes and monitoring the health of the school education system.

According to the Ministry, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (PRS) 2024, conducted in December 2024, assessed learning levels of students in Classes 3, 6 and 9 across the country. More than 21.15 lakh students, 2.70 lakh teachers and school leaders, and over 74,000 schools from 781 districts participated in the nationwide survey.

The assessment recorded a significant improvement in foundational literacy and numeracy compared to the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021, indicating the positive impact of the NIPUN Bharat Mission launched under NEP 2020.

The survey also evaluated factors influencing learning outcomes, including teacher training, classroom practices, school infrastructure, digital access, community participation and home learning environments. The findings are available through a dedicated PARAKH dashboard to support evidence-based educational reforms.

For higher education, the government said institutions continue to be evaluated through the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and ranked annually under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) based on teaching quality, research, graduation outcomes, inclusivity and institutional reputation.

The Ministry highlighted that flagship schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, PM POSHAN, and PM SHRI are strengthening school infrastructure, teacher training, digital learning, inclusive education, foundational literacy, nutrition and experiential learning in line with NEP 2020.

The information was provided by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.