A STUDY ON THE ATTITUDE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY-2020 IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society and promoting national development. Providing universal access to quality education is the key to India’s continued ascent and leadership on the global stage in terms of economic growth, social justice and equality, scientific advancement, national integration and cultural preservation. In this context, it is felt that the education system of the country should aim at developing in the young minds the necessary skills such as critical thinking, creative thinking, logical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving. The Government of India has taken an initiative to revamp the existing system; and to provide universal access to quality education on the foundational pillars of access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability in education with the introduction of National Education Policy (NEP) -2020 in the country. In most of the states in the country, including the state of Andhra Pradesh, the policy is in its initial stage of implementation in school education. It is observed that the teachers have differences in their opinion with regard to the implementation of the policy in secondary schools. The present study is an attempt to know the attitude of teachers working in secondary schools towards implementation of National Education Policy-2020 in school education in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The researchers used a well prepared and standardized questionnaire as the tool for collection of data from a sample of 300 teachers (30 Headmasters and 270 School Assistants) working in 30 secondary schools located in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh using Stratified Random Sampling technique. Mean score values, standard deviations and independent t-tests were used for analysis of data. The findings of the study revealed that the demographic variables - ‘gender’, ‘age’ and ‘teaching experience’ have no influence on the attitude of secondary school teachers towards implementation of NEP-2020 in school education. However, the ‘location of the institution’ has significant relationship on their attitude towards implementation of NEP-2020 in school education.