The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) recently sought suggestions on rationalising curriculum, syllabus and subject contents for classes one to twelve, but heads of institutions, parents and students have expressed scepticism about the move having an impact on reducing the burden of students.
Heads of several city-based schools are writing to the MHRD explaining their apprehensions and suggesting alternate ways in which the burden on the children can be reduced. Many schools have formed a team of subject experts to review each chapter. They will suggest chapters that can be done away with without having an impact on the learning outcomes of the students.
Justifying its move, the MHRD states that ‘the load of curriculum in cognitive and analytical area seems to be so heavy that students practically do not get much time to develop skills in other areas’.
However, Dakshayini Kanna, principal of Harvest International School, said there was a need for a lot of research while evaluating the syllabus of science and mathematics. “Particularly for higher grades, they need to look at the portions for competitive examinations and reduce the portions systematically,” she said, but added that social science subjects, which are bulky, could be cut.
M. Srinivasan, president of the Managements of Independent CBSE Schools Association, said that reducing the syllabus may not necessarily reduce the academic stress among children, asking instead to make learning more enjoyable. “The board can consider giving two options to students based on the difficulty level so that the load is reduced for students who think the curriculum is hectic,” he said.
He suggested combining chapters so that the load could be reduced without compromising on content as one of the possibilities.
Parents and students, though, are opposed to the move and feel that the board should focus on other means to reduce stress among children.
Aparna Sajeev, a parent whose daughter studies in class ten, said that reducing the portions was not a step in the right direction. “The stress is not because of the portions but because of the examination. If the syllabus is reduced, our children will not be able to compete in higher education on par with their peers who are pursuing other curriculum,” she said.
Akshata S., a class nine student, said that the continuous assignments and projects were in fact a cause of stress and urged the board to consider reducing them instead of the curriculum.
