N.P.E. gives an unqualified priority to universalization of elementary education (U.E.E.) The thrust in elementary education emphasis (i) universal enrolment and universal retention of children upto 14 years of age, and (ii)Na substantial improvement in the quality of education.
The child-centred approach commended in N.P.E. attempts to build the academic programme and school activities around the child.
The policy also recognizes that unattractive school environment, unsatisfactory condition of buildings and sufficiency of instrumental material function as demotivating factors for children and their parents.