Draft National Credit Framework (NCrF): Introduction of Credit System in Indian Schools

Vinod Kakumanu
Nov. 21, 2022, 9:54 a.m.

Just like the system being followed at many colleges and universities, school students will be able to earn “credits” from classrooms and extracurricular activities, and store these in a “credit bank”. This was announced by the Union Education Minister recently, at the launch of the draft National Credit Framework (NCrF), which has been drafted by an 11-member committee headed by the chairperson of the National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET).

According to the draft document, credits are a way of measuring learning outcomes, and essentially a “recognition that a learner has completed a prior course of learning, corresponding to a qualification at a given level.” For example, many Indian universities follow the Choice-based Credit System (CBCS), under which students need to earn a certain number of credits for completing a degree. This allows students to mix and match a wide variety of courses and gain a more multidisciplinary education, compared to the conventional marks or percentage- based evaluation system. This approach also ties in well with the provisions that UGC is encouraging now, such as the 4-year undergraduate programme with multiple entry and exit options. It offers flexibility to students in choosing and changing courses, and options to change or re-enter institutions without losing years.

The draft NCrF will integrate all existing Credit Frameworks under one umbrella, and will also cover skill and vocational education. It will also bring the entire school education system under the credit system ambit for the first time. Only the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) followed a credit system till now.