The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Kageri opposes uniform syllabus

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Kageri opposes uniform syllabus

Special Correspondent

Minister for discussions before deciding on it

‘Centre should focus on improving content and quality of education’
Need to improve content in textbooks and method of teaching stressed

BANGALORE: Taking exception to the Centre’s proposal on making Class X examination optional, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Visveshwara Hegde Kageri has said that instead of scrapping SSLC board and examination, the Centre should focus on improving the content and quality of education.

Addressing presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Kargeri opposed the Centre’s proposal on uniform syllabus at the primary and secondary levels. He noted several loopholes in the uniformity in education in all States and said: “I will discuss all proposals with Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal.” Reforms in education were required but they should not be uniform across the country, he said.

There was a need to improve content in the textbooks as well as method of teaching. Mere scrapping of Class X examination would not help students to face challenges in future. The pros and cons of scrapping examination should be widely discussed before coming to a conclusion,” he said.

Mr. Sibal on Thursday said the Centre intended to make Class X examination optional, thus permitting students continuing in the same school (and who do not need a board certificate) to take an internal school assessment instead.

Given the country’s diverse culture and society, there were several difficulties in implementing uniform syllabus at the primary and secondary levels through out the country. Since India was a developing country, history, culture and geography of each State differ from the other, he said.

Debate on the structure of education administration would not enhance the quality of education. “Our education should help students to learn as well to help get jobs”. Several reforms need to be introduced in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework-2005, Mr. Kageri said.

Support

The former Education Minister B.K. Chandrashekar has supported Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal’s proposal of making class 10 examinations optional. “It is an attempt to reduce the tremendous tension and irritation that parents and children often go through. Children need a liberal, relaxed atmosphere where they can understand concepts and learn to analyse. We need to do away with rote learning,” he said

Regarding uniform syllabi at the primary and secondary levels, Prof. Chandrashekar maintained that the syllabi of essential subjects — science, mathematics and languages — would probably be common, and might include lessons of a general nature on new world issues, such as climate change.

“Regional history and culture will and must be respected and allowed to flourish. We need to wait for the exact details of the proposal.”

Niranjan Aradhya of the National Law School India University, who has been part of the campaign for the Right to Education Bill, says that the proposals of Mr. Sibal, made without consultation with the States, were “unilateral and arrogant”.

He said that the Union Minister had no concrete proposals on “alternative tools of assessment” and his vision of uniformity in education was inimical to the federal structure.

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