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Time of India

Big share for local history, community connect in SCF

Pune: The new State Curriculum Framework (SCF) not only requires rewriting textbooks but also turns the spotlight on local communities as equal partners in education. Each school's success now hinges on active participation from parents, panchayats, and local experts, raising the bar for coordination beyond just in-classroom efforts. Previous reforms tinkered with syllabi and exams but the new draft involves neighbourhoods, panchayats, and families in the heart of the classroom, but questions about readiness and resources are stark. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The draft requires school management committees (SMC) to step up far beyond paper compliance. Parents, artisans, and local experts will shape lesson plans, resources, and even teachers' professional development. SMCs will have to drive curriculum feedback, resource selection, and infrastructure upgrades, not just basic compliance—requiring capacity-building across the board. Schools have been mandated to weave in local history, environment, and crafts into lessons. This requires new teaching material and frequent collaboration with community resource persons, which is logistically challenging, especially in remote areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Experts say that this new approach comes at a time when govt schools, particularly in interior and tribal regions, struggle with teacher shortages and minimal infrastructure. "For the first time, govt is calling upon every village and urban ward to take ownership of their schools' content and culture. It's a challenge, especially because there are no set rules and every village will have to explore on its own," Priya Kadam, a retired Balbharati curriculum expert, said. Early standards will see children learning about their surroundings from local crops to folk arts—curricular priorities decided at the community level. This comes at a time when govt schools, particularly in interior and tribal regions, struggle with teacher shortages and minimal infrastructure. "Community-led content sounds empowering but will backfire if grassroots bodies are not trained or supported. Most SMCs lack basic orientation about subject matter or child development," said Sunil Pawar, an educator and SMC trainer from Pune. The SCF also mandates that students be assessed for their participation in neighbourhood projects, environmental clean-ups, and local fairs—work that will be documented in the new holistic progress cards. School principals say the extra reporting load could overwhelm the staff. "Principals and teachers are now expected to be community liaisons, curriculum designers, and multi-taskers, without any reduction in other duties," Ajay Jadhav, principal of a zilla parishad school in Satara, said. Educators see the opportunity amid the daunting logistics. "Embedding local realities in the curriculum can revive the relevance for public schools and foster social responsibility among students, if done right," educator Seema Deshmukh said. The State Council of Education Research and Training unveiled the SCF draft for govt schools last Sunday. It will introduce a change in classroom dynamics, with an emphasis on skill-based, holistic learning and less memorization by rote. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !