Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Education addresses concerns regarding the alignment of Lakshadweep's education system with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, outlining ongoing initiatives and future strategies. Lakshadweep has been implementing NEP 2020 in a phased manner since 2021, with progressive reforms. Future priorities include strengthening digital infrastructure, capacity building, developing localized materials, and promoting green and inclusive schooling.
Key Points / Main Content:
NEP 2020 Alignment and Initiatives:
* The Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Education, UT of Lakshadweep, are actively aligned with NEP 2020.
* Initiatives include the establishment of the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) with CBSE, implementation of the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) mission under NIPUN Bharat, introduction of Bal Vatika classes, and observance of Bagless Days.
* Holistic Progress Cards have been introduced, and regular training is conducted for teachers and school heads based on NEP and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
* Schools have been reorganized into School Complexes, and curricular reforms include adopting NCERT textbooks, activity-based learning, and Bridge Programmes.
Directorate of Education Structure:
* The Directorate of Education functions as a single integrated unit with functional divisions for different stages.
* Dedicated wings and nodal officers handle responsibilities aligned with NEP 2020, including curriculum design, pedagogy, teacher development, digital initiatives, training, and data systems.
Accountability and Monitoring:
* School monitoring responsibilities are assigned to Principals, Headmasters, and Cluster Resource Persons (CRPs), who have received leadership training.
* Subject Resource Groups have been created across disciplines.
* Administrative officers at the Directorate level handle stage-specific supervision.
* Regular academic audits, inspections, and reviews are conducted.
Implementation Timeline:
* NEP implementation follows a phased model since 2021.
* Initial phase focused on orientation and awareness.
* 2022: Launch of NIPUN Bharat and baseline assessments.
* 2023: Introduction of Bal Vatika classes, digital learning initiatives, and NEP-aligned teacher training, along with the implementation of Bagless Days.
* 2024: Piloting the Holistic Progress Card and orienting schools to the NCF-based curriculum.
Future Strategic Priorities:
* Strengthening digital infrastructure.
* Capacity building for school leadership.
* Development of localized textbooks and teaching-learning materials.
* A focused shift toward green and inclusive schooling.
Impact Analysis:
Principals, Headmasters, and Cluster Resource Persons (CRPs):
* Impact: Assigned school monitoring responsibilities and are expected to support NEP implementation.
* Action Required: Continue to implement leadership training received and fulfill monitoring responsibilities to ensure accountability and alignment with NEP objectives.
Teachers and School Heads:
* Impact: Subjected to regular orientation and training sessions based on NEP and NCF.
* Action Required: Participate actively in training and implement acquired knowledge in teaching practices and school management.
Students:
* Impact: Introduction of Holistic Progress Cards, activity-based learning, and Bridge Programmes to align with NEP goals.
* Action Required: Engage with new learning methodologies and utilize available resources for holistic development.
Directorate of Education, UT of Lakshadweep:
* Impact: Responsible for unified planning and coordination across school stages within a single integrated unit.
* Action Required: Continue phased implementation of NEP, strengthen digital infrastructure, build capacity, and develop localized teaching materials.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy NEP 2020: A national policy document providing a comprehensive framework for education in India.
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India. The policy question concerns the alignment of educational practices in Lakshadweep with the NEP 2020.
Ministry of Education: The central government ministry responsible for education in India.
Directorate of Education, UT of Lakshadweep: The education department of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
State School Standards Authority SSSA: An authority established to set and maintain standards for schools, with CBSE designated as the authority in Lakshadweep.
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy FLN mission under NIPUN Bharat: A national mission focused on improving foundational literacy and numeracy skills in primary school children.
National Curriculum Framework NCF: A framework for developing curriculum, syllabi, and teaching-learning materials in schools.
CBSE: Central Board of Secondary Education
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2472
ANSWERED ON-04/08/2025
Non-Alignment of NEP 2020 in Lakshawdeep
2472. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Department of Education in
Lakshadweep continues to operate with an outdated administrative structure not
aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to restructure the Directorate of Education
into two specialized units for Elementary and Secondary Education and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to appoint dedicated Government officials to
improve administrative focus and accountability, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of timeline and strategy proposed by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a): Ministry of Education and the Directorate of Education, UT of Lakshadweep,
are actively aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and
has undertaken several initiatives to implement its recommendations in a phased
and structured manner. Key reforms include the establishment of the State School
Standards Authority (SSSA) with CBSE as the designated authority, implementation
of the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) mission under NIPUN Bharat,
introduction of Bal Vatika classes in all nursery schools, and observance of Bagless
Days as per national guidelines. Holistic Progress Cards have been introduced in all
schools, and regular orientation and training sessions are conducted for teachers
and school heads based on NEP and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
Schools across different islands have been reorganized into School Complexes toencourage collaboration, while curricular reforms include the adoption of NCERT
textbooks, activity-based learning, and Bridge Programmes for Classes V and VIII.
These efforts reflect the Government’s commitment to progressive and context-
sensitive NEP implementation, despite geographical and logistical challenges of the
UT of Lakshadweep.
(b): The Directorate of Education, UT of Lakshadweep functions as a single
integrated unit ensuring unified planning and coordination across school stages.
Within this unified structure, functional divisions exist, with dedicated wings and
nominated nodal officers handling responsibilities aligned with NEP 2020.
Curriculum design, pedagogy, teacher development, digital initiatives, training, and
data systems are all planned stage-wise.
(c): To ensure accountability, school monitoring responsibilities are assigned to
Principals, Headmasters, and Cluster Resource Persons (CRPs), all of whom have
received leadership training to support NEP implementation. Subject Resource
Groups have been created across disciplines, including in FLN, Holistic Progress
Cards, and NCF-based curriculum, while administrative officers at the Directorate
level handle stage-specific supervision. Regular academic audits, inspections, and
reviews help ensure transparency and alignment with NEP objectives.
(d): In line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, Directorate of
Education, UT of Lakshadweep is following a phased implementation model for
NEP since 2021. The initial phase focused on orientation and awareness, followed
by the launch of NIPUN Bharat and baseline assessments in 2022. In 2023, Bal
Vatika classes, digital learning initiatives, and NEP-aligned teacher training were
introduced along with the implementation of Bagless Days. The year 2024 focused
on piloting the Holistic Progress Card and orienting schools to the NCF-based
curriculum. Future strategic priorities include strengthening digital infrastructure,
capacity building for school leadership, development of localized textbooks and
teaching-learning materials, and a focused shift toward green and inclusive
schooling.
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