ALIGNING INQUIRY BASED LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS (IBLI) WITH NEP 2020: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSFORMING SCIENCE EDUCATION

Inquiry Based Laboratory Instructions (IBLI) is a learner centered, constructivist teaching-learning approach in which students grasp scientific concepts by asking questions, planning and conducting investigations, collecting and analyzing evidence, drawing conclusions and communicating their findings, rather than simply following predetermined laboratory procedures. In contrast, traditional laboratory methods require students to follow fixed instructions which are given earlier while IBLI encourages learners to develop the ability to conduct scientific investigations and apply scientific practices. This policy represents comprehensive transformation reform the Indian education system, emphasizing holistic, learner centered, experiential, competency based, inquiry driven and inclusive education. The vision of this policy also develops critical thinking, creativity, scientific temper, problem solving, collaboration, communication and other twenty first century competencies. In this context, Inquiry Based Laboratory Instructions (IBLI) provides a pedagogical approach through which learners actively participate in questioning, investigating, experimenting, collecting and analyzing evidence, constructing explanations and communicating scientific understanding. The present study examines the relevance and potential of IBLI as a pedagogical approach for advancing the broader vision of NEP 2020. This study is based on a conceptual analysis of alignment between the principles of IBLI and NEP 2020 including experiential learning, competency based education, learner centered pedagogy, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, scientific temper, multidisciplinary learning, authentic assessment and inclusive education. The paper concludes that IBLI has considerable potential to support the broader transformative vision of NEP 2020 by strengthening meaningful, experiential, inquiry oriented and competency based learning in Indian education.