Parents Are Already Talking About NEP

People are asking more and more, “Is our school NEP ready?” in WhatsApp groups, at PTMs, and in parent groups.

Parents are starting to realize that the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) is changing how kids should learn, moving away from rote memorization and toward more hands-on, experiential methods. They will soon want schools to show them how they are using it.

The problem? Schools that wait for parents to ask may have to defend themselves. Schools that get ready early will be leaders.

What NEP Really Means for Schools

At its core, NEP stresses: learning by doing instead of memorizing.

• Experiential learning over rote memorisation .

• Curriculum and teaching methods that are flexible.

• Improving skills while studying.

• Values, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving are all parts of holistic growth.

It’s not just a change to the curriculum; it’s a change in how people think. For schools, being NEP ready means showing parents that you’re getting kids ready for more than just tests.

Why Being NEP Ready Is a Competitive Edge

Parents don’t just look at board affiliation or infrastructure anymore when they compare schools. More and more, they ask, “Does the school follow NEP rules?”

“Will my child learn by doing?”

“Is the school ready for the future?”

Schools that can confidently say “yes” build trust and draw in families that want to move forward. People who hesitate risk losing their credibility.

Being NEP ready is more than just following the rules. It’s the new edge in the market.

How Schools Get Ready for the NEP

Being ready for NEP doesn’t mean changing everything all at once. It means doing things that are clear to both parents and teachers:

• Teach teachers how to use experiential learning: Teachers can move from classes that are mostly lectures to classes that are more active by using workshops, peer learning sessions, and simple toolkits.

• Add hands-on kits and activities: Parents want proof that their kids are learning by doing. Kits, like the ones from Kriya Quest, quickly make classrooms NEP-aligned without adding any extra work.

• Change the way you test slowly: Don’t just take tests. As part of the evaluation, include projects, presentations, and reflections.

• Talk to Parents: Let families see how the school is using NEP. Simple newsletters, open-house demos, or short videos of what goes on in the classroom can help people feel more confident.

• Start Small, Grow Smart: Start with a few grades or subjects. Try out experiential strategies, get feedback, and grow. Parents don’t want their kids to be perfect; they want them to make progress.

What Parents Want Schools to Do Under NEP

Parents don’t want jargon. They want proof in their daily school lives, like kids coming home with stories about what they did instead of just what they wrote.

• Less rote homework and more projects and experiments.

• Teachers who want students to ask questions.

• Reports should show creativity and problem-solving, not just grades.

By meeting these expectations early, your school can build trust before any questions come up.

The Risks of Waiting 

Schools that don’t get ready for NEP risk: 

• Getting tough questions during admissions season.

• Losing to competitors who show off hands-on methods.

• People see you as “traditional” when parents want you to be “future-ready.”

Schools that show they are making progress toward NEP implementation, on the other hand, are showing leadership and gaining parents’ trust.

Conclusion

NEP is more than just a policy; it’s a promise of better learning. The question for schools isn’t “Should we prepare?” but “How quickly can we prepare?“

Schools can meet or exceed what parents expect by training teachers, using hands-on methods, and keeping parents informed of their child’s progress. Schools need to be ready for NEP not just to follow the rules, but also to build trust, reputation, and growth.

When parents start asking, the best answer is already in your classrooms.