NEP driving rapid progress in school education sector

chennai: the implementation of the national education policy (nep) has led to rapid progress in india's school education sector, with a renewed focus on inquiry, innovation and inclusive development, officials said.the policy seeks to move away from rote learning to an understanding-based education system while addressing socio-economic inequalities among students. recent initiatives undertaken by the centre have significantly reshaped school curricula, aligning them with experiential and skill-based learning.reflecting the government's thrust on education, the union budget 2025-26 has allocated rs 1,28,650 crore for the sector, of which rs 78,572 crore has been earmarked exclusively for school education.a key component of the nep-driven reforms is the expansion of atal tinkering labs (atls) across the country to promote scientific temper, technological curiosity and creativity among students of classes 6 to 12. as of october 2025, around 10,000 atls are operational nationwide, benefitting over 1.1 crore students.the government has set a target of establishing 50,000 such laboratories by 2025-26 to further strengthen hands-on learning and innovation at the school level.officials said the nep is expected to play a crucial role in india's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 by nurturing a skilled, innovative and socially responsible generation.