Change in NCERT Syllabus- What and Why 2023

 

Change in NCERT Syllabus

 

In two years, there will be significant modifications to the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) curriculum. Once a National Curriculum Framework (NCF) has been established and the New Education Policy (NEP) has been finalised, these changes are anticipated to take place. The current administration is now reviewing the draught of an education strategy that was provided by a committee led by the former ISRO director K. Kasturirangan. Public response was also requested for the policy draught, and the plan will be finalised in light of the different discussions, comments, and suggestions made in the draught.

 

The NCERT textbooks' most recent revision took place in 2017, and it hasn't been made subsequently. The Ministry of Human Resource Development's (MHRD) sources claim that the changes to school textbooks will be done in next 2 years.

 

The 2017 revisions were put into effect after taking into account the recommendations and comments of educators, including parents, teachers, and other group members. In 2017, the council finally changed the curriculum after 15 years. The NCERT syllabus had the following revisions in 2017:

 

●     Demonetization and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan were introduced as new topics.

●     In the history book, a chapter about Maharana Pratap was added.

●     It included more details about the Indian Knowledge System.

●     The NCERT textbooks for classes 6 through 10 also covered subjects like philosophy, yoga, and Ayurveda as well as information about ancient India.

 

The syllabus for the NCERT textbook was altered in 1975, 1988, 2000, and 2005. Only a few topics were included in 2017, keeping the rest unchanged. As a result, the upcoming syllabus change, which will be the fifth, is referred to as such. Each subject's core concepts should only differ little from the textbook. To make learning a satisfying and enjoyable experience, the curriculum will be updated in accordance with student interest.

 

Moreover, The NCERT textbooks will be available in at least 22 languages, as mentioned in the eighth schedule of the Constitution, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Sindhi, Manipuri, Urdu, Malayalam, Odiya, and Kashmiri, among others.

 

Advantages of CBSE deleting the syllabus:

 

Less work to do and less stress

 

Less content will need to be covered, which will reduce stress and help students learn and remember more. Instead of attempting to cover an excessive quantity of content, students can concentrate more on comprehending and mastering the main topics with a reduced curriculum. This promotes a healthier and more effective learning environment, which benefits kids' academic performance.

 

More time to learn deeply

 

A smaller syllabus will enable teachers to teach in greater detail and give students more time to investigate and comprehend each idea. Better retention and comprehension will result from this.

 

Increased Motivation and Confidence

 

A limited syllabus also has a positive impact on students’ motivation. When students feel crushed by the large volume of study material, it can be demotivating and lead to a sense of helplessness. With less material to study, students will find it easier and more efficient to grasp the information, building their confidence.

 

Enhanced Learning Outcome

 

A reduced syllabus can lead to improved learning outcomes as it allows for a more focused and targeted approach to learning. A focused and targeted curriculum can lead to deeper understanding and greater academic success for students.

 

Disadvantages of CBSE deleting the syllabus:

 

Gap in Knowledge

 

While the deductions in the syllabus may provide some relief from the stress, it will also introduce gaps in knowledge. Eliminating certain topics may leave out crucial concepts and perspectives that are essential for a holistic understanding.

 

Competitive Exams Preparation

 

Reducing the syllabus may result in limited preparation for competitive exams, as the removed topics aren’t removed from the syllabus of competitive exams. Students may miss out on essential topics that are tested in these exams.

 

Reduced Academic Standards

 

When topics are omitted or shortened, students miss out on valuable knowledge, which negatively affects the quality of their learning. Reduced syllabi can make it difficult to maintain the rigour and depth necessary for students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

 

Increased Weightage

 

The syllabus is reduced, but not the total number of marks to be scored in exams. Therefore, in the same 100 marks, the weightage of topics will be increased now. For instance, if a chapter had a weightage of 3 marks earlier, it might now change to 10 marks because the syllabus and topics are less, and questions would have to increase from the retaining topics.

 

The Indian education system is seeing a major change in its framework and curriculum, and every new step has both a positive and negative impact, but if managed carefully and a balance is created, this new step can be proven revolutionary for our education system.

 

Here are some excerpts from the document which was prepared by over 250 academicians and professors against the syllabus reduction.

 

The signatories said that the latest deletions from the NCERT textbooks,

 

 “expose the non-academic, partisan agenda of the regime in pushing through amendments to school textbooks.

We are appalled by the decision of the NCERT to remove chapters and statements from the history textbooks and demand that the deletions be withdrawn. "

 

"The decision of the NCERT is guided by divisive motives. It is a decision which goes against the constitutional ethos and composite culture of the Indian subcontinent. As such, it must be rescinded at the earliest. "

 

"There has been no attempt to consult members of the teams that had prepared the textbooks, which included historians and school teachers, apart from members of the NCERT. "

 

Further, the signatories, in their statement, said that the revision should have only been done,

 

“in sync with the consensus of the existing historical scholarship. However, the selective deletion in this round of textbook revision reflects the sway of divisive politics over pedagogical concerns.”

 

The signatories accused the NCERT of using the pandemic as an excuse to initiate “a contentious process” of dropping important topics like ‘The 2002 Gujarat Riots’ and ‘Mughal Courts’.

 

“The new editions of these NCERT books have simply made the deletions the norm even when we are in a post-pandemic context in which school education has limped back to normalcy and is no longer in the online mode,” the statement said.