Engineering Education - Multidisciplinary and Holistic Education Across All Fields, with Flexible Curricula, Creative Combinations of Subjects, and Multiple Entry and Exit Points as Per NEP-2020
Authors: - P.Bhaskara Reddy , - R.Praveen Reddy , - A.Vijaya Sarada Reddy 
Published: August 2023

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a comprehensive framework for transforming the Indian education system to meet the needs and aspirations of the 21st century. One of the key features of the NEP 2020 is to promote multidisciplinary and holistic education across all fields, with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, and multiple entry and exit points. This means that students will have more choices and opportunities to pursue their interests and passions, and to develop their skills and competencies in a variety of domains.

The NEP 2020 proposes a new curricular and pedagogical structure for school education, which is based on the principle of 5+3+3+4. This means that the school education will consist of five years of foundational stage (three years of pre-primary and two years of Grades 1-2), three years of preparatory stage (Grades 3-5), three years of middle stage (Grades 6-8), and four years of secondary stage (Grades 9-12). This structure will replace the existing 10+2 system and will provide greater flexibility and continuity for students.¹

Technology plays a significant role in the NEP 2020, as it aims to transform the Indian education system to meet the needs and aspirations of the 21st century. Technology can help improve the quality, accessibility, affordability, and equity of education for all students and educators.

There are many examples of digital initiatives in India that aim to improve the online infrastructure and increase the internet accessibility among citizens.

The Digital India programme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India that aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The programme has achieved many milestones and achievements since its launch in 2015.

A broad-based education is an education that covers a wide range of subjects and disciplines, such as the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences, sports, languages, and vocational subjects. A broad-based education aims to provide students with a comprehensive and balanced foundation of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that will enable them to pursue their interests and passions, and to develop their potential in various domains of life.
Encourage lifelong learning and continuous professional development of students is one of the objectives of promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education across all fields, with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, and multiple entry and exit points. This objective is based on the premise that the 21st century requires learners to keep updating their knowledge and skills according to the changing needs and demands of the society and the economy.

Create awareness and acceptance among students, parents, teachers, employers, and society about the benefits and value of multidisciplinary and holistic education is one of the challenges and problems of promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education across all fields, with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, and multiple entry and exit points. This challenge is based on the premise that there are many misconceptions, stereotypes, and prejudices about multidisciplinary and holistic education among various stakeholders, such as:

Address the issues of equity, access, affordability, and inclusion for all students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is one of the challenges and problems of promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education across all fields, with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, and multiple entry and exit points. This challenge is based on the premise that there are many barriers and inequalities that prevent or limit the participation and success of some students in the education system.

Inclusive education is a form of education that aims to include all students, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or needs, in the same classrooms and schools. Inclusive education values the diversity and uniqueness of each student and provides them with equal opportunities to learn and grow. Inclusive education also benefits the teachers, the parents, and the society, as it fosters a culture of respect, acceptance, and collaboration.

Students will have more freedom and flexibility to choose their subjects, courses, programmes, and careers according to their aptitude, interest, and potential is one of the benefits of promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education across all fields, with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, and multiple entry and exit points. This benefit is based on the premise that the 21st century requires learners to have more choices and opportunities to pursue their interests and passions, and to develop their skills and competencies in a variety of domains.

The role of parents in promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education is very important and significant. Parents are the first and most influential teachers of their children, and they can support and enhance their children's learning and development in various ways. Some of the ways that parents can promote multidisciplinary and holistic education for their children

Technology can help in involving parents in the learning process of their children in many ways. Technology can enable parents to communicate with teachers, access information and resources, monitor and support their children's progress, and participate in various activities and events. Here are some examples of how technology can help in involving parents in the learning process of their children:

Educators can overcome the challenges of involving parents in the learning process of their children by using various strategies and methods that can address the barriers and enhance the benefits of parental involvement.

Some of the challenges and problems of promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education across all fields, with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, and multiple entry and exit points .

Educators can overcome the challenges of promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education by using various strategies and methods that can address the barriers and enhance the benefits of multidisciplinary and holistic education.

The role of employers in promoting multidisciplinary and holistic education is very important and significant. Employers are the key stakeholders and beneficiaries of the education system, as they provide the opportunities and challenges for the graduates and professionals who have acquired a multidisciplinary and holistic education. Employers can support and enhance the multidisciplinary and holistic education of their current and potential employees in various ways. Some of the ways that employers can promote multidisciplinary and holistic education.