A protest was held, perhaps for the first time, against the introduction of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) syllabus for I PU Science course.
The protest, organised by the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), was staged at the Mysore Bank Circle here on Saturday.
The protesters wanted the State syllabus to be retained at the Pre-University level. V N Rajashekar, President, AIDSO Karnataka, termed the introduction of the syllabus “unilateral, undemocratic, and highly discriminatory”.
For students who hitherto studied the state syllabus, the “sudden” imposition of CBSE (NCF) model syllabus had become too heavy and many were giving up science and opting commerce, Rajashekar said.
In his opinion, many teachers have pointed out the “impracticality” of completing the syllabus in 120 hours. They had not been properly trained either, he added.
Still, the department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) was advising the lecturers to complete “only 40 per cent of the syllabus”, Rajashekar stressed.
“Teachers are being advised to convince the students that under the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme, they will have a smooth sailing as all the tests and exams will be conducted and evaluated by the colleges,” he said.
“What an ingenious way to culturally corrupt our students and lecturers.”
Colleges can pass the students in I PU, but who will pass them in II PU examination, he asked, contending that the poor and meritorious students will be “deprived” of professional education if NCF was not withdrawn.
He urged the State government to consult all the stakeholders before taking any decision. A delegation later met DPUE Commissioner Rashmi V Mahesh who, AIDSO claimed, “failed” to substantiate her argument in favour of the NCF.