The 5+3+3+4 Education System: A Closer Look

One of the most powerful features of India’s National Education Policy 2020 is the replacement of the classic 10+2 framework with the 5+3+3+4 education system. By discarding the 10 plus 2 years structure, which was oriented towards a constructive way of teaching, the new educational strategy attempts to establish a more inclusive foundation for secondary education. 

For instance, the 5+3+3+4 system allows students to achieve a broad knowledge base at the primary level and then choose the path they wish to follow later in schooling, offering them greater freedom of choice. 

This revamped strategy, in turn, allows students to develop their skills and interests in a more personalised and individualised way, better preparing them for their upcoming future endeavours.

What is the 5+3+3+4 Education System?

As per the 5+3+3+4 education system of India, there are no extra school years for students. The heavy baggage has lightened up since the number of years a child spends in a school remains unchanged.

The National Education Policy 2020, with a 5+3+3+4 education pattern, incorporates nursery and kindergarten classes with standard 1st and 2nd while also bringing playschools within the domain of “formal education.” This approach covers the differences between curricular and extracurricular activities and academic and professional interests. 

This approach is like a well-structured house, with a solid foundation, walls that support the roof, and the roof providing a protective layer from the elements. The framework ensures that all aspects are considered for a holistic educational experience. This solid foundation creates an environment where students can thrive and grow, allowing them to reach their full potential.

"Till date, we've been focusing on 'What to Think' in our education policy. In the NEP, we're focusing on 'How to Think" - Narendra Modi  

Interesting Read:- 5 Core Elements of National Education Policy

Difference between the Traditional Model and the New Education Structure

The 5+3+3+4 education approach demonstrates how to structure an entire schooling course to enhance accessibility, admission, responsibility, and universalization at the preschool level while also delivering top-quality education as it also extends the approach of the Right to Education Act to incorporate those aged between 3 to 18.

To align with the existing urban education plan, children enrol in playschools, then move on to schools where they complete two years of kindergarten classes and go to school for 12 years.

Simplifying the System

Here is a thorough justification for every class and age range.

• Under the FLN National Education Policy 2020 - 5+3+3+4 system, students will spend 5 years in the foundational stage, following 3 years under the preparatory stage, 3 years of learning in the middle stage, and finally 4 years in the secondary stage.
• The phases are classified depending on the phases of intellectual growth that a child undergoes in early childhood, school, and high school.

Hereunder is a breakdown of the various phases of the new and reformed 5+3+3+4 education scheme:

Foundational Phase

• This phase comprises a 5-year duration.
• It contains students between the ages of 3 to 8.
• This phase forms preschool, Anganwadi, Standard 1st to third.
• Under National Education Policy, 3 years of Anganwadi or preschool education would be followed by two years of primary school, which contains classes 1 and 2.
• This stage’s main focus will be language development techniques and activity or play-based learning. 

Preparatory Phase

• This phase consists of 3 years duration.
• This learning phase completely focuses on the 8-11.
• The classes 3rd to 5th grades are included in this stage.
• Activity-based interactive learning and children’s cognitive development fall under this stage.
• The state government will authorise three languages to be taught to children under this new scheme.
• The role of mother tongue in education and regional language with be the primary mode for students up to class fifth.

The Middle Phase

• The middle phase comprises 3 years.
• It includes classes from 6th-8th.
• Here, the educational paradigm shifts to one that emphasises flexibility in instruction.
• Children will gain a foundational understanding of maths, science, the arts, and the humanities.
• In contrast to the rote learning methods that have long been used in our educational system, the NEP 2020’s 5+3+3+4 framework implies that this school teaching level will strongly emphasise essential learning objectives.

Secondary Phase

• The final phase is comprised of 4 years.
• This learning phase covers the age group of 14-18 years.
• It includes classes from 9th to 12th grades.
• The policy eliminates splitting students into completely different streams, allowing them to participate in the multi-stream system, a pool with a wide range of subjects.
• A student can end the long-standing rivalry between the two academic fields by selecting History with Accountancy and Physics.
• The emphasis of this stage is to focus on developing skills and critical thinking abilities.

Flexibility to Choose Subjects from 9th to 12th Grade

The National Curriculum Framework offers students the flexibility to choose subjects or courses they choose in higher education. Previously, there was limited choice, and students had to choose pre-selected courses.

According to the draft, "Students can make informed decisions about pursuing this discipline in higher education by developing knowledge of the key academic subject structures and theories of the discipline and developing capacities of inquiry in that discipline."

• There will be 8 groups from 9th to 12th grade where students can choose their preferred subject in the last four years of school.
• Humanities, Mathematics-Computing, Vocational Education, Physical Education, Arts Education, Social Science, and Inter-Disciplinary Subjects will be grouped into 8 categories.
• These four years, from 9th standard to 12th, will be split into two groups, 9th, 10th, and 11th, 12th.
• In the first phase (9th & 10th), science, social science, and the humanities will be taught. While in the second phase (11th & 12th) will be training in History, Physics, and language subjects.
• The semester system will follow up for classes 11th and 12th (twice-a-year assessment), whereas 9th and 10th will follow the previous annual mode of assessment.
• The student must pass 16 papers to complete their 12th-grade education in this manner (courses). They must select four subjects from a list of eight across three subject groupings.

NEP 5+3+3+4 Classes and Exam Pattern

The policy is a comprehensive framework, and its class and exam pattern are essential for its success. Below, we have assembled a structure, as reported by the National Curriculum Framework, that explains how classes will commence during the schooling journey of a child:

Preparatory to Middle Phase till 9th Standard focus on:

• Every weekday in the Preparatory and Middle Stages must always begin with a 25-minute assembly.
• The following will be broken down into 40-minute segments. If the subject requires a block period, the class will last 80 minutes.
• Before moving on to another subject, students will have a 5-minute transition period to prepare for their classes.
• However, the schedule has been updated to include a 15-minute snack break and a 45-minute lunch break.
• There will be no assembly on Saturday, and lunch will last an hour.

From 9th Standard to 12th Standard:

• Again, workdays will commence with a 25-minute assembly. Even though their classes last 50 minutes, their overall class time will be 100 minutes. 
• Students are given five minutes to prepare for the next lesson during the transition period. Even though the lunch break has been extended to 55 minutes, they have not been given any extra refreshment time. 
• There will also be no Saturday assemblies. Moreover, there will be an additional enrichment period in these classes. Students will now have longer school days as a result. It is designed for the students to use the additional time for coursework subject-matter exposure.

Let’s understand what its exam pattern would look like:-

• NEP 2020 specifies that students will only sit for exams in the 3rd, 5th, and 8th classes.
• Assessment in all the other years would consequently transfer to a regular and constructive format that might be more “performance-based” to enhance knowledge and development by checking “high-order skills,” including critical thinking, analysis, and conceptual clarity.
• No changes in the examination pattern of classes 9th and 10th; it will follow the existing framework.
• There will be a semester system for classes 11th and 12th, allowing students to appear for the exam when they feel ready.
• Board exams will be conducted twice a year, and students can appear for the courses they have completed or feel confident with.

The new education policy would give students the necessary skills to succeed in the real world and nourish them with a more meaningful and effective assessment.

By preparing students with the necessary skills to succeed in the real world, they can be better prepared to handle the challenges they face in the workplace. A more meaningful and effective assessment can provide feedback on their progress and motivate them to strive for success.

This way, they can gain confidence in their abilities and develop a sense of ownership in their work. Additionally, it allows them to identify their weaknesses and work on improving them.

For example, activities such as role-play or mock interviews can help students to develop their communication and networking skills, which are important for success in the workplace. Such activities allow students to hone their interpersonal skills, an essential component of career success.

6 Benefits of the 5+3+3+4 Education

There are several benefits of the new education model, a few of which are listed below:

1. A 360º progress report card will be used to evaluate students’ basic knowledge acquisition in grades 3rd, 5th, and 8th in line with the updated assessment plan.
2. Using the new NEP 2020s 5+3+3+4 structure, board exams will be easier to estimate students’ core competencies.
3. By enrolling children between the ages of 3 and 6 in formal education, the proposed initiative emphasizes the importance of development. 
4. Researchers and practitioners confirm that early childhood care and education (ECCE) is vital for developing a child’s future. As a result, the NEP 2020s 5+3+3+4 structure’s most significant achievement may be the incorporation of pre-primary within its purview.
5. Stronger career counselling services are necessary to help students make the best decisions possible since the new school system incorporates multidisciplinary learning and subject matter choices in the middle school phase.
6. Favorite subjects can be chosen as early as middle school, which may put the responsibility of deciding professionally on teachers or parents, who must be more equipped to do so.

At this age, students usually have a limited understanding of the professional world and may be unaware of the opportunities ahead. Therefore, those in positions of authority need to provide guidance and insight to help the student make an informed decision.

To Sum Up

The 5+3+3+4 education system is no mystery now. 

From the traditional 10+2 to the most recent 5+3+3+4 education model, the structure of the education model has been modernised. The new system has abundant opportunities for students' growth, which sheds light on the areas needing improvement in schools. 

For instance, Schools and institutions should mandate well-versed content or study materials curated by following NEP guidelines. Acadecraft is dedicated to developing NEP-approved content structures that stimulate students' academic results, teachers' instructional proficiency, and the institution's trustworthiness. 

The exam pattern also has undergone a cumulative modification. In the latest change in pattern, core concepts and knowledge applications will be evaluated in the board exams. This evaluation will concentrate on the child’s development during the initial years.

The education system aims to carry India up to par with the world’s leading nations using the scientific approach to learning and teaching models. Teaching will offer education infrastructure resolutions and a cluster of school ERP & LMS components for all stakeholders to oblige in the education process.