NEP 2020 to universalize credit framework: Pradhan

Addressing a stakeholder consultation on the draft National Credit Framework (NCRF) at IIT Delhi, the minister said the NEP 2020 establishes a credit accumulation and transfer system for all forms of learning to ensure seamless mobility between education and skill pathways.

Pradhan added that to reap the demographic dividend, the government needs to provide a level playing field and equal opportunities for everyone. “This can only be achieved through the recognition, accounting and formalization of all forms of conventional, non-conventional and experiential knowledge stores.”

The Minister said that the National Credit Framework will provide an opportunity to recognize the applied aspects of knowledge and skills. “It will also create new possibilities for lifelong learning and skills. NCrF will increase per capita productivity, empower all and lay a strong foundation to lead India into this century.”

“The National Credit Framework will be a key to increasing the economic convertibility of education, bringing a large majority of our population under formal education and skills, achieving the GER target and accelerating India’s progress towards becoming a $5 trillion economy,” Pradhan added.

The Credit Framework aims to democratize education by enabling students to earn credit not only through academic learning or classroom learning but also through co-curricular, extra-curricular, vocational learning, online or distance learning, recognition of prior learning and non-formal learning.

It also suggests aligning notional learning hours—the number of hours a student would spend achieving a specific learning outcome across academic classes, including preschool, school, and higher education.