A Serious StepTo Reform School Education
By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2023-08-26 01:14:47
About the Author
The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) has embarked on a significant effort to reshape the education system. The NCF outlines three primary recommendations: the introduction of two Indian languages as mandatory subjects in Class IX and X, and one in Class XI and XII; the implementation of a semester system for Class XI and XII, offering the flexibility to take board exams twice a year and retain the higher score; and the provision of freedom to opt for subjects across arts, sciences, and humanities during these two classes.
NCF also defines benchmarks for NCERT textbooks used in schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), teaching and learning practices, and assessment methods. Although the suggestions it puts forth are not obligatory, they are poised to exert a far-reaching influence on India's school education landscape. It was last revised in 2005 and an overhaul was long overdue.
This time, a committee comprising 19 members will employ these recommendations to finalize the curriculum, textbooks, and learning materials. The NCF's language-related proposals align with the National Education Policy (NEP), which emphasizes the significance of Indian languages. However, the broad array of language options presented might not incite the same level of controversy as the NEP did, given that some states perceived it as an indirect effort to elevate the status of Hindi in schools. Nevertheless, implementing this vision of diverse language choices will necessitate substantial capacity enhancement within schools, many of which currently lack the resources to offer such a comprehensive selection.
The recommendations concerning board examinations will wield a more immediate impact on student experiences. Designed to permit students to be assessed shortly after studying a specific topic, this new approach could alleviate academic pressure. Globally, continuous evaluation is viewed as a more holistic assessment of a student's learning journey. Simultaneously, the drive to reform examinations should be channeled towards enriching their insightful nature and steering students away from rote learning, rather than merely simplifying them. But awareness needs to be created as a majority of students feel that two board exams in a year will double their stress and they will be left preparing for exams every few months.
The responsibility to act upon these recommendations lies with the individual states. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), governing over 28,000 schools, will certainly adopt a version of the new system in the near future, thereby urging certain state boards to follow suit. Education reform stands as a national imperative for India, aiming to harness its demographic advantage by providing comprehensive education to its youth, all while avoiding undue burdens and limitations. The NCF embodies a genuine effort toward this goal.
