The NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) has prepared a draft document after analysing class 10 and 12 syllabus and textbooks to decide about the curriculum for this year. The council was asked to prepare the draft by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) during its meeting on June 4. The CBSE prescribes only NCERT textbooks to its affiliated schools.

The draft document by NCERT for class 10 advises against reducing syllabus as it could be “detrimental” for students if there are any gaps in learning. The draft instead, differentiates between topics and themes that are new and need to be taught by the teacher, and those that students can cover through self-study. The latter includes concepts “which have been roughly covered in earlier classes and are elaborated in the present class with examples and implications”. It further states the topics taught by the teacher may be assessed in the Board examination and the self-study concepts can be covered in internal assessment. The internal assessment in each subject carry 20 marks. If accepted by CBSE, the Board examination next year will not assess students on concepts covered through self-study, assignments or projects.

The topics suggested by NCERT for self-study include ‘Tyndall Effect’ in the chapter ‘The Human Eye and the Colourful World’ as it has been covered in Class 8. Two chapters — ‘Sources of Energy’ and ‘Sustainable Management of Natural Resources – have also been listed as self-study. Bolivia’s water war and the movement for democracy in Nepal in political science subject are among other topics that fall into self-study category as well. In History, chapters ‘The Age of Industrialization’ and ‘Print Culture and the Modern World’ have been suggested for “project work and innovative activities”.

Sources told IE that the draft document by NCERT is still under discussion and could be edited further. Earlier, the HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ had sought suggestions from the public on reducing the syllabus in the wake of schools closing shutters due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Indian Express

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