Vol. 9, Issue 11, Part D (2023)

The pursuit of Universal Primary Education (UPE) is a global imperative, and national education policies play a pivotal role in shaping the path towards this ambitious goal. This abstract provides an overview of the current scenario in achieving UPE within the context of national education policies, with a particular focus on India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP 2020 is a transformative policy framework that underscores India's commitment to providing equitable and quality education for all children aged 6 to 14 years. It emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy, holistic development, curriculum reforms, teacher training, and equity measures. This alignment with international UPE standards and best practices highlights the NEP's significance as a catalyst for progress towards UPE.

However, several challenges and barriers hinder the achievement of UPE, including infrastructure gaps, teacher shortages, socio-cultural factors, and economic disparities. Effective policy implementation, community engagement, and resource allocation are essential components of addressing these challenges. This abstract underscores the importance of comprehensive and evidence-based analysis to assess the impact of national education policies on the pursuit of UPE. Such analysis informs policymaking and supports the global commitment to ensure inclusive and quality education for all, starting with a strong foundation in primary education.