Conceptual Reflections on Developing Scientific Interest and Problem-Solving Ability in Secondary Education: Implications from NEP 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has once again targeted to foster scientific interests and problem-solving skills of the secondary school students. This conceptual paper seeks to investigate the significance of these cognitive and affective attributes as key elements of education in the twenty-first century. It critically evaluates the major features of the NEP 2020 that promote experiential learning, critical thinking and inquiry-based pedagogy to shift the focus from rote memorisation to conceptual comprehension and application. The study is based on educational theories and policy directives and it presents a conceptual framework that integrates objective of comprehensive and diverse education of NEP 2020 with scientific interest and problem-solving skills. The research also analyses the pedagogical consequences to the instructors, curriculum designers and school administrators in creating scientific mentality in learners. This work contributes to the body of knowledge in providing a proper foundation for subsequent empirical studies and teaching practices that are in line with national educational objectives.