In my discussions with brilliant Indian trainers and educators, it has become clear that the changes sweeping through India’s education system are part of a broader, global shift towards more holistic and child-centred learning. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 reflect this transformation, particularly at the Foundation Stage, where the focus is on experiential learning, foundational literacy, and numeracy. These reforms represent a departure from traditional rote learning, aiming instead to foster creativity, critical thinking, and emotional development in young learners.
The Foundation Stage, as outlined by the NCF, is crucial for early childhood development. It encompasses the following age groups:
India’s move towards this model is both exciting and necessary, as noted from my conversations with those supporting schools. However, it also presents challenges for educators and parents alike. Teachers are now tasked with adopting new teaching methods that are child-centred, flexible, and innovative. At the same time, parents must adjust their expectations, moving away from a purely results-driven focus towards understanding that education can nurture the whole child.
As these changes take hold, one of the greatest challenges lies in teacher training. Educators must be equipped to implement a curriculum that is both structured and holistic, which means developing new skill sets. Teacher training programmes are increasingly focusing on how to deliver lessons that go beyond academics, touching on emotional, social, and creative development. At Monster Phonics we are taking this challenge seriously as the CPD of educators is the key driver of change and development in a school.
At the same time, there’s a need to shift parental expectations. Many parents still expect traditional methods, which focus heavily on exam performance and measurable outcomes. However, the NEP and NCF emphasise that education should be more than just academic success—it should nurture well-rounded, emotionally intelligent, and creative individuals. This learning curve is like what happened in the UK and elsewhere, where parents who experienced a different model of education had to adjust to a new approach.
It will be interesting to see how the debate continues, as inevitable challenges arise when attempting systems-level change.
As the Director of Education, I invite you to reach out and learn more about our award-winning resource, Monster Phonics. With our structured yet innovative approach, we’re helping educators and schools around the world successfully move to a structured SSP with great enhancements.