News
Grade distortion has the potential to shake the foundations of meritocracy in India.
Grade distortion or grade inflation in the name of moderation / normalisation is taking a very ugly turn. Marks are randomly assigned and squared off to a high integer resulting in unnaturally high results. It is eroding away at the human capital of our country.
There is a new brand of mathematics doing the round of CBSE corridors. One where not only 79=95 but also 80 = 95, 81 = 95… and so on till 94 = 95.
Using this mathematics, CBSE has given grades to students on their mathematics papers and has brought everyone who has scored between 79 and 94 to the same score of 95. In some cases, poor students who have scored above 95 have also been dragged down to this pleasant-sounding score. Other subjects too are affected by this anomalous marking.
Numerous interviews with insiders*, from ICSE/ISC and CBSE boards, as well as analyses carried out on data covering a number of years and hundreds of thousands of candidates, corroborate that board exams in India across national boards ICSE/ISC and CBSE, have turned into a farce — marks are randomly inflated, marking criteria is opaque, and luck plays too big a role.
The analyses have established that due to competition between boards as well the government’s desire to project a better image, school boards have turned into arbitrary marks-giving machines.
The overwhelming reason behind the massive statistical anomalies is the practice of score moderation by different boards. Usually, moderation is a justifiable practice which involves slight upscaling or downscaling of marks, after the answer sheets have been graded, to account for inter-examiner variability and swings in the year-to-year difficulty of question papers, so that yearly pass rates and score distributions don’t fluctuate wildly
Unfortunately, the spirit of score moderation is no longer present in the exercise as marks and pass rates are being arbitrarily increased — a practice commonly known as 'grade inflation'.
Insiders pointed out to the complete lack of transparency in marking scheme and moderation, and they unanimously agreed that the project/practical marks — 20 in ISC and 30 in CBSE — were simply a tool used to boost scores, and had no relation whatsoever to the merit of the candidates.
A teacher, who has been ICSE chief coordinator (second highest in the board’s marking hierarchy), shared that the marking scheme was unacceptably biased in favour of ‘keywords’. According to him, it was grossly unfair to students that the marking scheme and keywords change substantially from year-to-year, with little transparency or basis. Citing an example from Biology, he added that till recently the word “solvent”, and not “water”, was accepted as correct in the definition of the process of osmosis. But an abrupt and unannounced change meant the latter started being accepted as correct.
According to him, another issue with the marking scheme of any subject, is that it is almost solely the prerogative of a single person — the chief examiner of that subject. The paucity of time available to examiners means standards are loose. In an example that was highlighted at an ICSE meeting, an answer sheet was never opened and marks were randomly allotted on the front sheet.
In the most shocking example from his career, a big bunch of Biology answer sheets belonging to a particular state arrived soaked in rain, with the ink on them completely wiped out. Confused, he sought guidance from the chief examiner of the subject, who promptly asked him to assign average marks to all.
Another blot on the marking scheme, she added, was that wrong spellings often didn’t get penalised if they sounded phonetically correct. In yet another example of dependence on keywords, she added that an answer describing the process of respiration would get full marks if the words “taking in” and “oxygen” were present anywhere in the answer, irrespective of what the rest of it contained. On the other hand, a perfectly descriptive answer would get penalised if it didn’t have those two keywords.
Since CISCE is a private body, unlike the CBSE, it is not bound by the RTI, which means they never have to show candidates the photocopies of corrected answer scripts. This insulates the examiners and further increases the likelihood of neglect and arbitrariness in marking.
The state of CBSE doesn’t seem much healthier, though. A senior teacher, and now principal, at a CBSE school pointed out that CBSE had always been under tremendous pressure to project a healthy state of the country’s educational attainment. This pressure had been amplified by competition from other boards, leading CBSE to hugely inflate marks.
An administrator at a top-ranked CBSE school mentioned that CBSE had barred re-evaluation of answer sheets of most elective subjects because there was a dearth of qualified examiners for other subjects, and they were being arbitrarily marked, often putting those opting for these electives at a disadvantage. In support, he cited far better scores obtained by candidates on the same subjects in internal exams, as compared to board exams.
As mentioned earlier, our analyses revealed statistical anomalies in data for board exam marks. Below are some conclusions.
Jump in share of 90-percenters and overall scores
The share of 90-percenters in CBSE has jumped to almost 8% in 2016 — this fraction was slightly less than 1% in 2004.
In the CBSE examination, since 2009, an unbelievably high number of people score exactly 95, in various subjects. Also, CBSE and ISC are desperate to somehow pass candidates.
Specific regions are favoured arbitrarily: In English, CBSE favoured Delhi students by a huge margin.
Continuing with its love for 95 marks, CBSE allotted this score to over 18 % students in Delhi, in English. But the rest of the country was less fortunate, with less than 1% scoring 95. Even in reputed schools in metro cities other than Delhi, very few have scored in the 90s in English. As reported, there is an upward moderation of 12 marks for Delhi, but zero marks for others. Such regional bias exists for other subjects too.
In both the ICSE and ISC examinations, since at least 1997, it has been observed that certain numbers are altogether missing from the result.
In at least 20 years, a period during which a few million students have appeared for ICSE (class 10) or ISC (class 12) examinations, not a single person in the country has scored 93, 91,89,87,85,85,and 83 in the country, in any subject. There are totally over 30 such marks which have never been attained indicating a serious problem in the moderation process.
Rising popularity of subjects with inflated scores
Certain elective subjects such as Physical Education and Computer Science are exceptionally high-scoring in both CBSE and ISC examinations. Often, over a third of the candidates score higher than 90 in such subjects. Needless to say, these subjects have become increasingly popular, for reasons that have nothing to do with academic inclination. The percentage of takers for Physical Education at the ISC examination jumped from 5% in 2012 to nearly 16% in 2016. This has come at the cost of subjects such as Economics, which is less scoring. Such preference is nothing but a warning against perverse incentives.
Given the state of rot in the boards, it comes as no surprise that premier Indian institutes are trying to become independent of board marks. The latest IIT-JEE pattern has done away with board marks as a criteria, since, as per Ashok Mishra Committee’s report, they pose a “big challenge” mainly due to “difficulties in normalisation”. Other institutes like BITS, Pilani have introduced their own entrance tests, leading to a big churn in the geographical representation of their students, indicating that certain boards made it easier for students to gain entry.
Grade distortion needs to be viewed as a serious public policy problem and not a problem of the respective boards. It encourages lesser effort from students, resulting in deterioration in the nation’s human potential, and eventually India’s future. Moreover, it is completely sullying the age old dictum— better the effort, sweeter the fruits.
*You can read the original article by Prashant Bhattacharji / Prabhat Singh at www.firstpost.com.
Images used for representational purposes only
Education
Youth Ideathon 2024: CBSE Launches India’s Biggest Entrepreneurship Competition for School Students
ThinkStartup, India’s leading entrepreneurship education platform, in association with the Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), announced the launch of the 4th edition of Youth Ideathon (YI24). This prestigious Innovation and Entrepreneurship festival aims to harness the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young minds across India.
The theme for this year’s Youth Ideathon is “iStartup a Good Thing for India.” The competition will be held in five stages, initially online, and is open to all school students in India, divided into Junior (Class 4 to Class 8) and Senior (Class 9 to Class 12) categories. Students will compete in teams of 3 to 5 members from the same school. The grand finale is set for October 6, 2024. Last year, the Ideathon attracted over 1.5 lakh students from more than 8,000 schools, and this year aims to see participation from over 2 lakh students across 10,000 schools.
Dr Biswajit Saha, Director (Skill Education & Training), CBSE, remarked, “Entrepreneurship is an essential pillar of the New Education Policy 2020, and the Youth Ideathon platform allows students to think bravely and showcase their talents.”
Mamta Kumari, Deputy General Manager, SIDBI, added, “Initiatives like Youth Ideathon 2024 nurture the entrepreneurial spirit among young minds, creating over 200 internships for school students in fields such as technology and digital marketing.”
Shivani Singh-Kapoor, Co-founder of ThinkStartup, emphasised the importance of nurturing young talent, stating, “Youth Ideathon empowers the next generation by nurturing high-potential student ideas with incubation support.”
The competition is supported by industry leaders such as Esri India and MediaTek. Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India, noted, “Youth Ideathon channels the creativity of young minds towards addressing pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.”
Anku Jain, Managing Director of MediaTek India, echoed this sentiment, saying, “By supporting platforms like Youth Ideathon, we aim to generate more startups, create jobs, and cultivate groundbreaking ideas.”
Sanjeeva Shivesh, Program Director of Youth Ideathon, highlighted the new frugal startup challenge, offering Rs. 1000 cash to the top 500 teams to build a prototype or small venture.
Youth Ideathon 2024 also receives support from SheAtWork and BRICS CCI WE. Ruby Sinha, Founder of SheAtWork, stated, “Youth Ideathon addresses both SDG 4 and SDG 5 goals of quality education and gender equality.”
Participants will receive certificates, with top teams competing for incubation grants up to Rs. 100,000. Special recognition will be given to teachers, mentors, and schools with high participation rates.
Education
Internships in Top 500 Companies, Rs 5k Stipend for Youth: Key Highlights from the Education Budget 2024
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget 2024 yesterday, marking the first budget of the BJP-led NDA after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term. The budget introduced significant allocations aimed at bolstering education, employment, and skilling, with a notable allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for these sectors.
Education Budget 2024: Rs 1.48 Lakh Crore Allocated
A new scheme offering internship opportunities at 500 top companies for 1 crore students over the next five years was one of the major highlights. Each student will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 and a one-time assistance payment of Rs 6,000. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing practical experience to young learners.
“The government’s initiative to provide financial support for higher education loans up to Rs 10 lakh is commendable. This move will enhance accessibility to quality education,” said Dilip Gangaramani, Founder Director & CEO of Target Publications Pvt. Ltd. “The allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore for employment and skilling initiatives is also a positive step towards addressing youth unemployment.”
Major Employment and Skilling Schemes
The Finance Minister announced a substantial PM Package consisting of five programmes aimed at boosting employment and skilling, with a total allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore. Among these, Rs 1.48 lakh crore has been specifically allocated for education, employment, and skilling. The initiatives will skill 20 lakh youth over a five-year period, significantly contributing to the nation’s workforce by equipping young individuals with necessary skills to thrive in various industries.
25,000 Students to Avail Loan Benefits Every Year
The budget also introduced model skill loans. “Skilling loans – model skill loans schemes for up to 7 lakh rupees will benefit 25,000 students every year,” stated Finance Minister Sitharaman. This initiative aims to support students financially in acquiring necessary skills, thus enhancing their employability and career prospects.
“This year’s budget strikes a fine balance between fiscal discipline and drivers of economic and social growth. Enhanced initiatives on women empowerment and education underscore the focus on welfare schemes,” noted Dr Rakesh K Singh, Professor and Associate Dean – Academics at IMT Ghaziabad. “Structural reforms propose new policies to foster innovation and skill development in emerging areas such as AI and renewable energy.”
Comparison with Previous Budget
In the Union Budget 2023, the central government’s allocation for the education sector was Rs 1,12,898.97 crore, the highest allocation granted to the Ministry of Education at the time. The Union Budget 2024 reflects a strong focus on education, employment, and skilling, with significant investments aimed at creating a more skilled and educated workforce. The announced programmes and allocations are expected to drive improvements in educational infrastructure, job creation, and skill development across the nation.
“The government will also offer internships in 500 of India’s top companies. The companies can employ these interns through their CSR funds. As a support to employers, reimbursement of up to Rs 3,000 per month for two years towards their EPFO contribution for each additional employee will be provided,” stated Balkishan Sharma, Chairman & Founder at FVEG. “These new schemes aim to create new jobs and provide employment to well-educated youth.”
A Step Towards a Skilled Workforce
“The proposed comprehensive internship programme for one crore youth is a commendable initiative,” added Gangaramani. “These measures, if implemented effectively, can significantly boost India’s human capital development and contribute to a more skilled and employable workforce.”
The Budget 2024, with its focus on education, employment, and skilling, aligns with the nation’s developmental goals and is a welcome step forward in building a robust and future-ready workforce.
The higher education sector in India has seen a substantial increase in enrolment and rising equity over the past eight years, as revealed by the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22. The Economic Survey 2023-24, tabled in Parliament by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted that total enrolment in higher education surged to nearly 4.33 crore in FY22, up from 4.14 crore in FY21 and 3.42 crore in FY15—a remarkable 26.5% increase since FY15.
This growth has been driven significantly by underprivileged sections, including SC, ST, and OBC communities, with a notable increase in female enrolment across these groups. Female enrolment in higher education jumped to 2.07 crore in FY22 from 1.57 crore in FY15, reflecting a 31.6% rise. This growing equity in higher education is expected to translate into better employment opportunities for previously disadvantaged sections of society.
India’s educational landscape is vast, with 26.52 crore students in schools, 4.33 crore in higher education, and over 11 crore learners in skilling institutions. The National Credit Framework (NCrF), announced under the National Education Policy 2020 in April 2023, serves as the foundation of a regulatory structure that promotes lifelong learning.
The Economic Survey underscores the importance of mission-mode and cost-effective implementation of educational programmes, especially at the primary level. Effective public spending on education should focus on pedagogy and governance, including monitoring teaching quality, recognising teacher performance, and employing local volunteers to ensure students are taught at the appropriate level.
India is making significant strides in research and development. The number of patents granted in FY24 nearly quadrupled from FY20, reaching almost 1,00,000. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), India had the highest growth in patent filings in 2022 at 31.6%. The country has improved its rank in the Global Innovation Index from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2023.
Ph.D. enrolment has also surged, with an 81.2% increase from FY15 to FY22. Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) has more than doubled since FY11. The newly established National Research Foundation, ‘Anusandhan’, aims to bolster India’s R&D ecosystem with a significant financial commitment from the government.
India’s ascent in high-quality research is marked by its rise to 9th place in the Nature Index 2023, surpassing Australia and Switzerland. The government’s commitment to research and innovation is encapsulated in the interim budget of FY25, which includes a Rs. 1 lakh crore corpus for research, adopting the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan”.
The recent UNESCO report, “SDG 4 Scorecard Progress Report on National Benchmarks: Focus on Teachers,” reveals that while India is excelling in primary education, the upper secondary education sector requires significant improvements. The report, published by UNESCO, shows that India’s primary education completion rate is at an impressive 94%, nearing its 2025 benchmark of 99%. However, the upper secondary completion rate lags at 51%, against the 2025 benchmark of 84%.
India’s performance in pre-primary participation is also notable, scoring 91%, close to its target of 95%. Conversely, the country struggles with out-of-school rates and lacks sufficient data to assess minimum learning proficiency accurately.
In terms of school internet connectivity, India is making average progress across all educational levels, indicating room for enhancement. The country performs well in the pre-primary teacher training sector, meeting its 2025 benchmark of 95%.
Overall, while India’s primary education sector is performing well, the secondary education sector, especially the upper secondary level, needs focused attention to meet the set benchmarks. The report highlights that 79% of countries have submitted national targets for SDG 4 indicators, with India making strides in some areas but still requiring significant efforts in others.
Education
Workshop on Writing Textbooks in Bharatiya Bhasha for Higher Education Inaugurated by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar
The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar has inaugurated a workshop for Vice Chancellors on the writing of textbooks in Bharatiya Bhasha for higher education in New Delhi. Organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (BBS), the event saw the presence of eminent academicians, including Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Prof. Chamu Krishna Shastry, and Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar.
Dr. Majumdar emphasized the importance of developing study materials in Indian languages to reflect the country’s linguistic diversity and ensure accessible education. He highlighted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s role in inspiring youth and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for their visionary leadership.
Prof. Chamu Krishna Shastry and Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar shared insights on developing a Bharatiya Bhasha Ecosystem. During the valedictory session, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy launched three projects: ASMITA, Bahubhasha Shabdkosh, and Real-time Translation Architecture. These initiatives aim to produce 22,000 books in 22 scheduled languages, create a grand repository of multilingual dictionaries, and enhance real-time translation capabilities.
Over 150 Vice Chancellors participated in the workshop, organized into 12 groups to plan and develop textbooks in 12 regional languages. The discussions focused on creating new textbooks, establishing standard vocabularies, and improving current textbooks with an emphasis on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The event concluded with a Q&A session addressing queries from participants.
On World Youth Skills Day celebrated on 15 July globally, it’s essential to recognize the incredible potential children inherently possess. Children are naturally curious, energetic, and less afraid of taking risks—qualities that, if nurtured correctly, can form the bedrock of their future success. By identifying and developing these skills, we can empower them to become resilient and adaptable adults ready to face the challenges of the future.
Curiosity: The Catalyst for Learning
Curiosity drives children to explore, ask questions, and seek out new experiences. This innate desire to understand the world around them is a powerful tool for learning. Encouraging curiosity through inquiry-based learning and fostering an environment where questions are welcomed can significantly enhance their educational experience. For instance, project-based learning allows children to dive deep into subjects that interest them, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Energy: Channeling Enthusiasm into Productivity
Children are bursting with energy, which, when directed correctly, can lead to incredible productivity and creativity. Schools and parents can harness this energy by providing varied activities that challenge both mind and body. Extracurricular activities like sports, music, and arts not only keep them engaged but also teach them discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Moreover, incorporating movement into learning, such as through kinesthetic activities, can help maintain their focus and enhance memory retention.
Fearlessness: Embracing Risks and Learning from Failure
Children’s fearlessness and willingness to take risks are qualities that can drive innovation. Creating a safe environment where they can experiment, fail, and learn from their mistakes is crucial. By teaching resilience and the value of perseverance, we can help them develop a growth mindset. Activities that encourage trial and error, such as coding, robotics, and creative writing, can instill confidence and the ability to view failures as opportunities for growth.
Developing These Skills into Strengths
To turn these innate skills into lasting strengths, it is essential to provide continuous support and opportunities for development. Teachers and parents play a pivotal role in this process by:
- Providing Diverse Learning Experiences: Exposure to various subjects and activities helps children discover their interests and strengths. This broadens their horizons and fosters a love for lifelong learning.
- Encouraging Collaborative Learning: Group projects and team activities teach children the importance of collaboration, communication, and empathy. These skills are invaluable in both personal and professional settings.
- Promoting Self-Reflection: Encouraging children to reflect on their experiences helps them understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This practice can build self-awareness and intrinsic motivation.
- Integrating Technology: Leveraging technology in education can make learning more engaging and accessible. Interactive tools and resources can cater to different learning styles and keep children excited about their educational journey.
By recognizing and nurturing the natural skills of curiosity, energy, and fearlessness in children, we can transform these qualities into powerful strengths. This approach not only prepares them for future challenges but also equips them with the resilience and adaptability needed in a rapidly changing world. On World Youth Skills Day, let’s commit to fostering these attributes, ensuring that the youth of today become the innovative leaders of tomorrow.
On 11 July 2024, during a Special Event on Transforming Education at the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the urgent need for a “dramatic shift” in global education. This call to action aims to create a more peaceful, sustainable, and just world through genuine learning environments from childhood to adulthood.
The event serves as a precursor to the upcoming Summit of the Future in September. Guterres emphasized that the current state of global education is inadequate, with 84 million children projected to be out of school by 2030 unless significant changes are made. This situation jeopardizes the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Currently, only one-sixth of countries are on track to meet the SDG4 target of universal access to quality education. Guterres pointed out several critical issues, such as slow secondary level completion rates, insufficient skill development for a changing world, and the optional status of early childhood and adult learning. He highlighted the alarming statistic that 70% of children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read a basic text by age 10.
Financial constraints further exacerbate the crisis. UNESCO estimated that developing nations need to invest $100 billion annually to achieve SDG4, with an additional 50% required for digital education transformation. Guterres noted that many countries spend more on debt servicing than on education or health.
Despite commitments from over 140 countries at the Transforming Education Summit in 2022, progress remains slow and uneven. Guterres proposed a four-point plan to address the crisis, focusing on closing financing and access gaps, supporting teachers, and revolutionizing education systems. He stressed that education is essential for sustainable development, peace, and human rights.
President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, echoed Guterres’ sentiments, emphasizing the need for inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning opportunities. He highlighted the dire state of education in South Sudan, the denial of girls’ education in Afghanistan, and the impact of conflict on education in Ukraine and Gaza.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reinforced the message that education is crucial for achieving common goals in sustainable development. She urged global leaders to take decisive action to end the education crisis.
Guterres concluded by stating, “Education is the single-most important investment any country can make. In its people. And in its future. Let’s come together to end the global crisis in education.”
Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state, the Maharashtra government has announced free higher education for girls from Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The policy, which also waives tuition and examination fees for orphaned students regardless of gender, was formalised through a government resolution (GR) during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The initiative will commence from the academic year 2024-25 and is projected to cost Rs 906 crore.
The GR states that female students seeking admission to recognised vocational courses through the Centralised Admission Process in government colleges, aided private colleges, semi-aided private colleges, non-aided colleges, polytechnic, autonomous government universities, and open universities will benefit from this scheme. The courses covered include those run by the departments of higher and technical education, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, animal husbandry, pisciculture, and dairy development. However, students from private autonomous universities, self-funded universities, or those enrolling through management and institutional quota will not be eligible for the scheme.
Female students whose annual family income is Rs 8 lakh or less and who belong to the EWS, SEBC, and OBC categories are eligible for the fee waiver. Both new admissions and current students pursuing their degrees can avail of this facility. This initiative is part of a broader women-focused policy by the Maharashtra government, aiming to enhance educational access and opportunities for underprivileged female students in the state.
(Source- PTI)
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Chhattisgarh government has embarked on an initiative to provide primary education in local languages and dialects in remote tribal regions. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed the State Education Department to develop and distribute bilingual books in 18 local languages free of charge. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of educational resources and ensure that children receive education in their mother tongue or local language up to the fifth standard, as recommended by NEP 2020.
During the state-level ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ programme at Bagiya village in the tribal-dominated Jashpur district, Chief Minister Sai highlighted the importance of this initiative. He emphasised that providing education in local languages will not only improve educational outcomes but also help preserve local culture and traditions.
The ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ is an annual event aimed at encouraging school enrolment at the start of the academic session. This year, the event was moved from Raipur to Bagiya, the CM’s hometown, to underscore the significance of the new initiative.
An official from the Education Department mentioned that in tribal areas, primary school exams can now be taken in local languages and dialects. However, exams for higher classes will continue to be conducted in Hindi and English. This move is part of a broader effort to boost the literacy rate in Chhattisgarh, which currently stands at 70.28 percent, below the national average of 76 percent.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has launched a new English textbook for class 6 titled “Poorvi”. Unlike its predecessor, “Honeysuckle”, which predominantly featured stories by non-Indian authors, “Poorvi” includes nine prose pieces by Indian authors and five poems by non-Indian authors, as reported by the Indian Express.
This new textbook aligns with the National Curriculum Framework 2023 and the National Education Policy 2020, incorporating revised chapters that reflect an Indian context. The previous textbook, “Honeysuckle,” contained eight poems (seven by non-Indian authors) and eight prose pieces (five by non-Indian authors), along with stories by Indian authors Munshi Premchand and Ruskin Bond.
Significantly, the term “Bharat” appears for the first time in an NCERT textbook, mentioned 19 times in a chapter titled “Culture and Tradition,” while “India” is mentioned seven times. This chapter also features a section called “Hamara Bharat, Incredible India!” emphasising India’s identity as “Bharat.”
Additionally, “Poorvi” includes chapters on the uses of spices beyond cooking and the benefits of yoga, highlighting aspects of Indian culture and tradition. NCERT had initially planned to release new textbooks for classes 3 and 6 earlier this year but encountered delays. The class 3 textbooks are now available.
Joseph Emmanuel, Director (Academics) at CBSE, advised schools to adopt these new syllabi and textbooks for classes 3 and 6 in place of the previous NCERT textbooks until the year 2023, as per a statement to PTI.
Remembering Kargil Vijay Diwas: A Lesson in History, Sacrifice, and Peace for Our Children
Youth Ideathon 2024: CBSE Launches India’s Biggest Entrepreneurship Competition for School Students
Internships in Top 500 Companies, Rs 5k Stipend for Youth: Key Highlights from the Education Budget 2024
Higher Education Enrollment Jumps To Nearly 4.33 Crore In FY22, Up 26.5% From FY15
UNESCO Report Highlights Need for Boost in India’s Upper Secondary Education
Embracing Emojis in the Classroom: A Fun and Polite Approach to Modern Learning
Workshop on Writing Textbooks in Bharatiya Bhasha for Higher Education Inaugurated by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar
Nurturing Natural Skills: Empowering Youth for the Future
Global Education Crisis Demands Immediate Action, Says UN Secretary-General
Celebrating Nikola Tesla: A Beacon for Transforming Education
Maharashtra Government Announces Free Higher Education for EWS, SEBC, OBC Girls
Chhattisgarh Introduces Local Language Primary Education in Tribal Areas
NCERT Introduces ‘Poorvi’ For Class 6: A New English Textbook With Indian Focus
National Teachers’ Award 2024: Self-Nominations Open Until 15th July
Australia’s Doubling of Student Visa Fees to Impact Indian Applicants
Navigating Teen Emotions: The Essential Lessons of ‘Inside Out’
Prerana Students Chart Career Paths with Target Publications’ Event
Kozhikode Becomes India’s First UNESCO ‘City of Literature’
Ladakh Celebrates Achieving Full Functional Literacy
Ministry of Education Launches Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions Campaign
A Story About Turning Math Anxiety into Achievement
Potato of my Classroom
The Liberal Gift: The Key Lessons from “College – Pathways of Possibilities” by Saikat Majumdar
NIIT Foundation and UNICEF YuWaah Empower 5,000 Women and Girls through Data Literacy Training Programme
Goa to Introduce Uniforms in Government Colleges
NCERT Introduces ‘Poorvi’ For Class 6: A New English Textbook With Indian Focus
India’s Eupheus Learning Recognised in TIME’s World’s Top EdTech Rising Stars of 2024
10 Summer Safety Tips for Kids During Summer Breaks
Why Sex Education in Schools is a Battlefield: A Look into Recent Debates and the Path Forward
OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Edu to Revolutionise University Education
Questioning the Trend of Lavish Farewells- #FarewellFiasco
UNESCO’s Happy Schools Initiative: Placing Happiness at the Heart of Education
NIIT Foundation and UNICEF YuWaah Empower 5,000 Women and Girls through Data Literacy Training Programme
Kerala Sets National Benchmark with AI Training Programme for 80,000 Teachers
Empowering Education: LASSI 2024 Concludes with Success and Inspiration
Addressing the Transition From Classrooms to Coaching: The Shifted Focus
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: The Need for Personalised Learning
Pricey Presents, Precocious Pressures: The Cost of Gift-Giving to Children
Heatwaves Disrupt School Education Across India
Beyond Appearances: Prachi Nigam’s Triumph and The Pressures of Appearance-Based Bullying in Schools
What It Takes to Be Well-Educated; Not Just Well-Read
Ivy Pressure Unveiled- The Need to Look Beyond the Ivy Gates
Vape Awareness: Mist of Misconception
The Liberal Gift: The Key Lessons from “College – Pathways of Possibilities” by Saikat Majumdar
University of Manchester To Offer Scholarships for Indian Students
Tripura Launches E-Attendance in Government Schools to Boost Accountability
CBSE Class 12 and Class 10 Results 2024: Girls Lead as Pass Rates Climb
Marked by Marks: The Stereotyping of Student Potential
Unsupervised Explorations: Rethinking Student Trips
Government of India Signs MoU for Digital Library Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya
SGEF2023 | Special Address by Rama Datt, Trustee, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Trust, Jaipur
ScooNews | After Movie | ScooNews Global Educators Fest 2023
Aftermovie | NIES2 UP Chapter | 21 Jan 2023
WEBINAR | Gamification in Education: How Digital Badges Can Boost Student Motivation and Engagement
ScooNews | WEBINAR| Importance of Physical Activity for Children at School | Plaeto
SCOONEWS | WEBINAR | WHY DIGITIZING YOUR SCHOOL IS A MUST | TEACHMINT
Keynote Address | Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar
Anurag Tripathi, Secretary, CBSE at SGEF2022
How schools can nurture every student’s genius
Aftermovie | SGEF2022 | Jaipur
Li Andersson | Minister of Education | Finland
Anurag Tripathi, Secretary, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) discusses NEP2020
ScooNews | Early Ed Asia 2019 | Aftermovie
#PodarECEconf : Pursuing quality ECE
#CBSE Class XII #Results #Highlights
The interesting story of India’s educational system | Adhitya Iyer
A young scientist’s quest for clean water
The Danger of Silence: Clint Smith
National Digital Library of India is an initiative by HRD Ministry
Remembering Kalpana Chawla on her birthday!
Message from Sadhguru for Students!
Message from Sadhguru for Students!
The Untapped Genius That Could Change Science for the Better
Eddy Zhong: How school makes kids less intelligent TEDxYouth@Beacon
#TEDxCanberra : What if every child had access to music education…
-
Education3 weeks agoNCERT Introduces ‘Poorvi’ For Class 6: A New English Textbook With Indian Focus
-
Education3 months agoIndia’s Eupheus Learning Recognised in TIME’s World’s Top EdTech Rising Stars of 2024
-
Education2 months ago10 Summer Safety Tips for Kids During Summer Breaks
-
Education2 months agoWhy Sex Education in Schools is a Battlefield: A Look into Recent Debates and the Path Forward
-
Education2 months agoOpenAI Launches ChatGPT Edu to Revolutionise University Education
-
Education3 months agoQuestioning the Trend of Lavish Farewells- #FarewellFiasco
-
Education3 months agoUNESCO’s Happy Schools Initiative: Placing Happiness at the Heart of Education
-
Education1 month agoNIIT Foundation and UNICEF YuWaah Empower 5,000 Women and Girls through Data Literacy Training Programme
-
Education3 months agoKerala Sets National Benchmark with AI Training Programme for 80,000 Teachers
-
Education3 months agoEmpowering Education: LASSI 2024 Concludes with Success and Inspiration