Uniform course gets a nod
Besides many plans that the government is considering to bring reformation in education in India, one might be to bring in uniformity in curriculum across the country. The government is trying to bring in a single system and curriculum to teach students at the secondary and higher-secondary levels, being planned under the ambit of Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA). It aims to bridge the gap between high and low quality education. While the idea seems fine on the surface, how would it affect the overall education system and would it be of any help?
Educationists feel besides other issues, creating a balance between students from different backgrounds in one class will be a difficult task. “It’s not only the difference in academic backgrounds, teachers come across students from varied backgrounds — some not from affluent families, some with orthodox beliefs, etc. Just making the syllabus uniform would not help, but yes, it will help reduce the gap,” says Viraj Kafle, teacher in charge, English, Dyal Singh College.
Other educationists don’t oppose, but think that other things should be considered to bring in uniformity. Dr P.C. Jain, principal, SRCC, concurs, “Even if we look at students from a particular board, like CBSE, they are not equal despite studying from the same curriculum. Unifying the curriculum may lessen the gap but to bring uniformity across the country, more plans need to be introduced.”
He says that the government will have to evaluate all schools across the country and then take steps to improve what they lack in.
“In many areas of the country, schools are underdeveloped due to local politics and irresponsible administration. The government will have to address and rectify these problems too,” he adds.
The environment of every other school is different and thus there’s a need to bring in a system where schools follow same rules and regulations. “Simply having the same curriculum in all schools won’t help much. Kids in all schools should also be exposed to similar extra-curricular activities and other things. That will make the impact better,” says Pragati Chandan, a higher secondary school teacher, who has taught in schools following different boards in over 18 years of her teaching career.
However, Dr Sadhna Parashar, head, Innovation and Research, CBSE, says that under the RMSA, they are trying to tackle most of these issues. “RMSA is an effort to bring uniformity overall. It would reduce the existent disparity from region to region too,” she concludes.
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