Latest news with #StateCurriculumFramework
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- 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 !
Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
No 3rd language for even higher classes in SCERT's draft curriculum framework
Forced to withdraw its decision to introduce Hindi as the third language in primary classes in Maharashtra, the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has now released a draft curriculum framework for school education where it has included only two languages for all classes from classes 3 to 10. The decision has sparked a fresh discussion in the education sector as the third language has not been included for higher classes (classes 6 to 10) for the first time since the system was introduced from the academic year 1971-72. The SCERT on Sunday released a draft curriculum framework for classes 3 to 10 inviting suggestions from stakeholders. It includes only two languages for all classes – preparatory stage (classes 3 to 5), middle school (classes 6 to 8) and secondary (classes 9 and 10). As per information shared by the SCERT, this draft is prepared on the basis of the State Curriculum Framework prepared in 2024 which is as per the recommendations by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It provides a list of a total 20 subjects, combined for all these classes; with some new entrants such as Vocation Education apart from conventional subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Science. Stakeholders have time until August 27 to submit suggestions. About the missing third language from all these classes, the SCERT has released a note along with the draft. It states, 'A committee has been appointed under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav as per the Government Resolution (GR) dated June 30, regarding the implementation of the language policy. The existing system will continue till the decision regarding the third language is implemented on the recommendation of the said committee and in accordance with the decision of the Government thereon.' This has sparked confusion among teachers and schools as they question the connection between the new committee and three languages already taught in higher classes. 'The said committee is to deliberate upon whether the third language can be implemented from Class 1, which was the point of contention leading to formation of that committee. Nobody had opposed the three-languages taught in higher classes, which has been happening for many years now,' said a senior language teacher from Mumbai, further questioning the hurry in issuing the draft curriculum framework when the final decision cannot be taken until the committee's report. Mahendra Ganpule, from Maharashtra School Principals' Association said, 'The note insists that until then existing practice will continue. But the draft is for upcoming structure for these classes as per the NEP recommendations. But this missing mention of language three, which has always been part of curriculum for higher classes, definitely leaves room for confusion.' Echoing that there is confusion, Madhav Suryawanshi, coordinator of the Shikshan Vikas Manch, a consortium of teachers and educationists from across the state, said, 'Owing to this confusion and for other discussions, the consortium is going to hold an online session for teachers across state to get more clarity by resolving doubts with experts.' Stating that SCERT is simply playing safe, senior educationist Vasant Kalpande said, 'System of third language in higher classes has been an existing system. Its exclusion from the syllabus framework is likely to cause confusion over the third language in higher grades, which nobody has contended.' When contacted, SCERT Director, Rahul Rekhawar said, 'The committee is deliberating upon the three-language formula of the state. This makes it important to wait for its recommendations because without that we cannot decide from which Grade the third language can be implemented.' Vocational Education from Class 6 Among the new subjects, noteworthy is the introduction of Vocational Education subject from Class 6. In a first a separate curriculum is prepared for Vocation Education which will be taught until Class 10 wherein students will be given hands-on experience in various skills such as agriculture, poultry, gardening, mechatronics, AI, robotics, food processing, carpentry, beauty and wellness, and tourism. Another notable change is that, subject 'Environmental Studies (Part 1 & 2)' for classes 3 to 5, will be replaced with 'The World Around Us (TWAU) (Part 1 & 2)'. The existing textbook for Grade 4 ('Shivchatrapati') will continue as such. Whereas from classes 6 onwards, separate curricula have been developed for History, Geography, and Civic studies. From class 9 onwards, separate curricula have been prepared for Political Science and Economics.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
After GRs cancellation, teachers wonder what to do with Hindi hours in timetable
Pune: Confusion prevails in state board-affiliated schools after the state govt cancelled both earlier notifications on the introduction of Hindi as a third language in the primary section. The timetable announced on June 18 by State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is now invalid for the Hindi period. Teachers said they started the academic year two weeks ago, and now need to adjust the timetable again and wait for instructions on how to handle the periods set aside for Hindi. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Educators said this constant back-and-forth was disrupting learning and creating unnecessary stress for teachers, students, and parents. Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president of State Headmasters' Association, said, "Now that govt has cancelled both GRs, the older timetable in the State Curriculum Framework at the foundational level will have to be used." SCERT announced the revised timetable mid-June for SSC-board affiliated schools to follow throughout the year which adjusted teaching hours across subjects to accommodate the third language from Std I onwards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo Educator Vishwas Mandhare said that SCERT allocated teaching hours for the third language by reducing teaching time for art education, physical training, and work experience. "The revised schedule should go back to the older one where creative and extra-curricular time for students is not cut down," he added. The council, for the first time, provided a sample timetable to help schools plan their academic day. While the sample is not mandatory, the subject-wise allocation of teaching hours must be followed. Unlike NCF's recommendation of 45- to 50-minute periods, the state govt opted for 35-minute sessions. Two consecutive periods may be combined for extended time for certain subjects. Education experts said constant reshuffling was detrimental. ZP teacher Kishore Bhagwat said, "The academic planning for Std I to V is disturbed. Schools are unsure how to guide students and parents, and teachers have to rearrange lessons at the last minute, adding to stress and the workload." A senior SCERT official said experts were revising the timetable. "We will wait for a new govt notification about cancellation of the two GRs. We will then issue the revised timetable." Pune: Confusion prevails in state board-affiliated schools after the state govt cancelled both earlier notifications on the introduction of Hindi as a third language in the primary section. The timetable announced on June 18 by State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is now invalid for the Hindi period. Teachers said they started the academic year two weeks ago, and now need to adjust the timetable again and wait for instructions on how to handle the periods set aside for Hindi. Educators said this constant back-and-forth was disrupting learning and creating unnecessary stress for teachers, students, and parents. Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president of State Headmasters' Association, said, "Now that govt has cancelled both GRs, the older timetable in the State Curriculum Framework at the foundational level will have to be used." SCERT announced the revised timetable mid-June for SSC-board affiliated schools to follow throughout the year which adjusted teaching hours across subjects to accommodate the third language from Std I onwards. Educator Vishwas Mandhare said that SCERT allocated teaching hours for the third language by reducing teaching time for art education, physical training, and work experience. "The revised schedule should go back to the older one where creative and extra-curricular time for students is not cut down," he added. The council, for the first time, provided a sample timetable to help schools plan their academic day. While the sample is not mandatory, the subject-wise allocation of teaching hours must be followed. Unlike NCF's recommendation of 45- to 50-minute periods, the state govt opted for 35-minute sessions. Two consecutive periods may be combined for extended time for certain subjects. Education experts said constant reshuffling was detrimental. ZP teacher Kishore Bhagwat said, "The academic planning for Std I to V is disturbed. Schools are unsure how to guide students and parents, and teachers have to rearrange lessons at the last minute, adding to stress and the workload." A senior SCERT official said experts were revising the timetable. "We will wait for a new govt notification about cancellation of the two GRs. We will then issue the revised timetable."
