In a radical shake-up, the State Education Department has introduced revised syllabus for 10 class students as part of the long-felt curriculum reforms designed by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Education, Research and Training (APSCERT).
After a gap of 18 years, students of 10 class with State syllabus will have revised, updated lessons in textbooks for the academic year 2014-15.
The exercise of developing a State curriculum framework was started in 2010-11 and carried out for different classes in a phased manner.
There is a change in the exam pattern also. Till last year, students wrote exams in six subjects (Telugu, English, Hindi, maths, science and social studies) segregated in 11 papers (each subject comprising paper-I and Paper-II, barring Hindi).
From this year, they will write exams in six subjects, in seven papers for 600 marks (each subject consisting of 100 marks, barring physical science and biological science for 50 marks each).
The main exam will carry 80 marks while the remaining 20 marks will be given based on formative and summative tests as part of the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE).
“We have deviated from the earlier pattern where textbooks were information-oriented. This time, they are activity-based. The idea is to generate productive, creative and well educated students,” says Upendra Reddy, Head of the Department of Curriculum and Textbooks, APSCERT.
A marathon exercise preceded introduction of the reforms. Subject-wise committees were constituted with eminent persons from allied sectors as members who deliberated upon the principles on which the new syllabus was to be developed taking into consideration the methodology, preparation and assessment aspects.
“A great deal of effort has gone in to bring into play interesting and exciting activities like projects, experiments, group discussions and other collaborations. The exercises at the end of every lesson have open-minded questions which will improve analytical skills, widen the scope of thinking and self-expression of students. It’s time students gave up rote memory mode and embraced a fresh learning perspective,” says Prof. Reddy.
The District Educational Officers must monitor effective implementation of the new system to bring about a change in the teacher perspective. “We envisage a positive change in the days to come,” says Prof. Reddy.
