Kapil Sibal moots core curriculum for Maths, Science

Updated on: Tuesday, August 25, 2009

New Delhi: Inaugurating the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) conference here today, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, Kapil Sibal said, 'How can all Boards move towards having a core curriculum in Mathematics and Science in the next three years, so that we have a critical mass of people equally endowed to compete professionally. This will make possible a common exam in the country to enter the university system for professional courses for which Maths and Science are the fundamental subjects.'

He asked the Heads of the school Boards from across the country assembled there to place it on their agenda for discussion and he expressed the hope that they would come up with a roadmap for this.

He also reminded the gathering that in order to ensure genuine equivalence for these subjects, the quality of teachers will also have to be ensured.

Sibal emphasised that at the same time the country needs diversity in the teaching of subjects such as Geography, History, and Environment which are specific to different regions.

He said that preserving this diversity should be encouraged; as a result of which different students bring to the table unique experiences, making India a 'Melange of uniqueness'

He also pointed out that the current system of education is narrow with few choices for children. Skill development was needed with boards being able to give degrees in Music, Mechanics, Art etc, he added.

The HRD Minister underlined that de-stressing of the education system is required and attempts must be made to move to a grading system. Stating that a move towards Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) is much tougher for teachers, he added that it would be much simpler for students.

He said that if the CBSE schools that are till Class XII, replace Class X boards with CCE, a paradigm shift will be seen in how we teach. He also said that, at the same time, great care will have to be taken to evolve a good CCE.

Speaking on the occasion, SC Khuntia, Joint Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy stated that we have to look at both curriculum reform and exam reform.

He also pointed out that it has been observed due to the class X boards six months of precious time of teaching in schools is lost as all concentration is on preparing for these boards.

Vineet Joshi, acting Chairman, CBSE, and Mr. Krishna Kumar, Director, NCERT among others was also present at the meeting.

Kapil Sibal moots core curriculum for Maths, Science

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