New SCERT syllabus to focus on self-learning

Combined with a new methodology which encourages out-of-the-box thinking and focus on honing communication skills, the new curriculum promises to help students think progressively Purnima Sriram We live in a competitive world where students don't just compete with others, but also with themselves. To compete with the growing trends and competition, we have to upgrade ourselves. In order to upgrade the standards of the young, tender minds that have the power to grasp things quickly and sensibly, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken up an initiative to change the syllabus of Classes IV, V, VIII and IX. Swarna Vinayak, State Co-ordinator for State Council for Education and Research Training (SCERT) says that they have done a lot of research on this new syllabus. "The new syllabus is divided into two parts. One part is theoretical and the other is practical applications of the lesson learnt. We have emphasised more on new examples and project works. We have included lessons on our legends, literary people and their contributions to the literary world, values and beauty of Telugu language, social issues etc," he adds. Speaking about the positive change in the textbooks, Prof. Upendra Reddy of SCERT says that there are striking differences in the content and design. "The content is designed to make students think. Perhaps, it motivates self-exploring and learning method. We want to get rid of rote method and initiate self learning method among students. It will enrich the ideology and philosophy for students. The present generation lacks social awareness, soft skills and communication skills. The changes made will surely inculcate the required qualities in them will make them face the world with courage and confidence and incorporate global knowledge," he says. "With the change in syllabus, there will be change in teaching methodology too. Research on teaching methodologies is the key to progress across the globe. We have opted for a few such methods. Discussions and debates will now be part of their curriculum which will help the students to participate in competitions without any stage fear. We will link the student with the society and the subjects in the book. Teachers should not just read out what is there in the text book but also teach new concepts and subjects everyday which will spark an interest among students," he adds. Speaking on similar lines, Prof. N Janardhan, member of All India Teacher's Federation for Child Rights, says that earlier teachers would teach and the student would learn and reproduce the same on the answer scripts. "There was no chance for them to think and write on their own. The new pattern will make the students think and write the answers in their own way. Teachers, parents and the students themselves will know about their writing style and vocabulary. They will be able to asses where they are going wrong. If there are 40 students in a class, the teacher will receive 40 different answer scripts with 40 logistics answers unlike the old structure where all the students would write the same answer as given in the guide or textbook. When there are different answers, the students will understand the other students' perspective too which will help them progress." "Teacher's approach towards teaching will be holistic and designed to help students know their inner abilities. When a three-year-old can do miracles without going to school, students who come to school can do wonders. We have given them a chance to prove themselves. This can happen only with self-exploratory method. We are making serious efforts in making the students enthusiastic to come to school. We want them to have the same joy in coming to school which they have while leaving," he concludes.