DSERT for change in State syllabus

 The Directorate of State Education, Research and Training (DSERT) has recommended an overhaul of the State board syllabus from Class I to X.

Sources said the revised syllabi will emphasise on participative and analytical learning as opposed to rote learning. Key recommendations which are part of the revised syllabi include - an integrated approach to science subjects in high school, field trips and an entire chapter dedicated to the banking system. Another important recommendation is to design question papers and frame questions keeping in mind the socio-economic ‘lingua franca’ of students.

“If the revised syllabi is approved, high school students will have one single text book for Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Further we have recommended that questions and question papers be designed in a language which is familiar and relevant to the local population. Mathematics syllabus will include comprehensive content on the banking system in India, with one chapter dedicated to the Reserve Bank of India,” a source said.

The directorate’s reports on the revised syllabi, which is in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework 2005, have been submitted to the government and is currently being looked into by a committee of experts.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, the Principal Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education R G Nadadur said, “At the moment an expert committee is looking at the reports and making their observations and suggestions. However, it is a lengthy process and will take at least a couple of years for the syllabus to be implemented.”

He added that several other stake-holders were being consulted on the recommendations. Nadadur also indicated that the revised syllabus in all likelihood will be introduced on a pilot basis in a couple of districts in the state before it is considered for full implementation.

Meanwhile, sources at the directorate said that the syllabus was modified to make it relevant to the “real world” and broaden the scope of learning beyond text books. “We have recommended regular field trips for students from middle school onwards and a child-centred approach to learning,” the source said. Other features which were incorporated into the syllabus include an emphasis on the functional grammar in languages and a constructivist approach to science. “The syllabus for language has been restructured with an emphasis on functional grammar, so that children can express themselves better,” the source said.

The revision of the syllabus was carried out by expert committees which were constituted for each subject. Each of these committees comprised 16 members including classroom teachers, subject experts, language experts and B Ed teachers. The syllabus was revised keeping in mind issues such as listening, reading, writing and aesthetic sensibilities with an emphasis on improving expression in each of these faculties.