The Draft National Credit Framework (NCrF)

Context

Recently, the Government of India unveiled the draft National Credit Framework (NCrF) to enable the integration of academic and vocational domains.

What is the National Credit Framework Draft?

• National Credit Framework Draft is an inclusive umbrella framework to integrate the credits earned through school education, higher education and vocational & skill education.
• The NCrF aims to bring the entire education system, from school to university, into the academic ‘credit’ regime.
• The National Credit Framework NCrF has been proposed as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The National Credit Framework NCrF encompasses the following three components.
• National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF)
• National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)
• National School Education Qualification Framework (NSEQF)

Objectives

• Integration of academic and vocational domains to ensure flexibility and mobility between the two.
• Mainstreaming of skilling and vocational education by inter-mingling school and higher education with vocational education and experiential learning.
• National Credit Framework NCrF will also enable students who have dropped out of mainstream education to re-enter the education ecosystem.

Benefits 

• For Students: National Credit Framework NCrF will ensure Flexibility in the duration of study/ courses through provisions of multiple entries and exit/work options as well as pave the path for creditisation of all learning hours, including academic, vocational and experiential learning.
• It will also give the provision for lifelong learning – anytime anywhere learning.
• For Institutions: NCrF will bring about a unification of higher education institutions to promote multidisciplinary education, creating a diverse and rich student knowledge base.
• For Government: NCrF is expected to assist the government to increase the enrolment of students, helping to fulfil the national vision of complementing the demographic dividend and transforming India into the Skill Capital of the World.
• For Industry: National Credit Framework NCrF will allow students to attain NSQF-approved foundational skills developed by industry and be more employable. The provision of micro-credentials will allow integration of quick educational upgradation/ up-skilling.