National Credit Framework (NCrF)

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Collecting Views of Public on NCrF
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<red> November 15th, 2022 <red>

Centre Appeal to All Institutions to Collect Views of Citizens on NCrF

Dharmendra Pradhan in the launch of collecting views of public on NCrF

NCrF has been present as a part of National Education Policy (NEP). The Union Minister of Education said NCrF will be a multi-dimensional tool for the next generation. We are dedicating NCrF to ‘Jan-paramarsh’ to make it more dynamic.

He also says:

“The ‘yagya’ and churning that India witnessed in the last 8 years has started to bear ‘Amrit’.
Yesterday we introduced the National Credit Framework for public consultation. Initiatives launched today reflect our collective progress towards pursuance of goals underlined in NEP.”

The Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appealed to all institutions, schools, ITIs, AICTE-affiliated engineering colleges, centrally-funded HEIs, state universities and regulatory authorities/bodies to host the public consultation for National Credit Framework on their website for seeking suggestions from citizens.

Tweet by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on public suggestions on NCrF

National Credit Framework makes skilling and vocational learning as an aspirational goal for many which allows potential to be funnelled towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat and achieving the goals to make India the Skill Capital of the world.

NCrF Benefits: 

  • Making vocational education and training/skilling aspirational. 
  • Increased enrollment of students (GER)
  • Helps in fulfilling the national vision of complementing the demographic dividend
  • Could be extended to all kind of streams including agriculture, medical and law

Complete Structure of National Credit Framework

For students, NCrF will make the duration to complete a course flexible and open the path of multiple entries, exits, and work. They also get credits for all learning hours, including academics, vocational and experiential learning. It also removes the hard distinction between the field of science, arts and commerce.

<red> July 29th, 2022 <red>

What Is The National Credit Framework NCrF ?

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was introduced in September to bring a revolutionary change in the Indian Education System. The policy not only talks about a child’s education but also covers their overall development.

PM Narendra Modi addressing nation on NEP 2020’s anniversary

Now, principals and teachers create a framework with curricular and co-curricular activities based on 21st century skills, holistic development, competency and so on. Different types of pedagogies are created regarding every subject and topic of elementary classes.

However, everybody was confused regarding the implementation of NEP in the secondary and senior secondary sector.

How National Credit Framework NCrF Works?

In today's news, Dharmendra Pradhan (Union Education Minister) launch National Curriculum Framework. In this the Central Government of India advocated credit-based courses and framework for higher education. National Credit Framework (NCrF) brings the education system back into an academic credit regime.

Various stakeholders of the education system have agreed upon some major features of NCrF in the meeting held by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) July 13th, 2022.

The credit-based framework has been proposed in which Class 5 will be taken as Level 1, Class 8 as Level 2, Class 10 as level 3 and Class 12 as Level 4. Look at the table given below to understand better.

For Example: When a student passes Class 10 board examination, they will be clearing Level 3. Gradually, when students will pass higher education exams, their credits will keep on increasing simultaneously. 

National Credit Framework distribution of different levels

After Class 12 when students secure level 4, the credit will increase by 0.5 per year. Undergraduate course level will move as 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0. Post-graduate course will move student credit from 6.5 to 7 and PhD to level 8.

NOTE: Online programmes and distance-based learning will also be included in upgrading the credit of a student.

Classification of National Credit Framework (NCrF)

So far, no hard separation has been done between curricular and co-curricular activities. There are 5 categories included in NCrF:

  1. Classroom teaching/ learning/ laboratory work/ class projects
  2. Sports and games, yoga, physical activities, performing arts, music, handicraft bag, and bag less days
  3. Yearly/ half yearly examination/ class tests/ quizzes, assessments
  4. Vocational education and training, skilling, field visits, minor/ major project work
  5. Job training/ internship/ apprenticeship/ experiential learning

Earning Credits

So far Centre has agreed that the students will complete 1200 total national learning hours in an academic year for higher and vocational courses while for early education, they will complete 800-1000 hours per year.

Students will get 1 credit each for every 30 hours, according to which they get 40 credits in an academic year and likewise 20 credits in a semester of six months.

NOTE: So from this, we can assume that for elementary classes, students will get approximately 33 credits per year as per the number of hours (between 800-1000) selected by the school authorities.

There are still no guidelines on the importance of credits given through curricular and co-curricular activities. But it can be assumed that the importance of the credit system will only increase when non-examination credits are being made mandatory to cross the minimum benchmark of passing that class. Solely passing a student based on mandatory credits of examination performance will render the other areas redundant.

How can Students Earn More Credits? 

To earn more credits, students can enrol in additional courses/ subjects/ projects in parallel from National Schools and Institutions, as announced by UGC (University Grants Commission). School board exams are mandatory and as the students will proceed to gain more experience, their proficiency will also be considered for calculating total credit points.

Interesting Fact

To manage credits earned by students from the beginning of their school education, Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) has recently been introduced under the DigiLocker framework. This will also include vocational education and training of the students.

If we try to conclude, school authorities should prepare for the implementation of this credit system academically as well as in co-curricular activities. Simultaneously, this will give students a boost to continue their education and earn more credits as they pursue higher courses.

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