Knowledge
Maharashtra may get its own Open Schooling System next academic year onwards
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), under the chairmanship of Gangadhar Mhamane, has submitted a revised proposal to the state education department regarding setting up an open schooling system in maharashtra
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), under the chairmanship of Gangadhar Mhamane, has submitted a revised proposal to the state education department regarding setting up an open schooling system. With the submission of the revised proposal the state education department moved another step towards fulfilling a long cherished dream. The aim is to set up a system similar to the National Institute of Open Schooling. The initial proposal which was submitted had to be revised as several queries were raised during discussions with senior bureaucrats.
“There were some queries that needed to be resolved and some good suggestions that were incorporated. The revised proposal has been submitted and we are now awaiting the nod from the state government,” Mhamane said.
The open schooling system as envisioned by MSBSHSE provides for academic freedom to students allowing them to choose only those subjects that they wish to study determined by their future career goals. The system will also provide flexibility in taking exams.
According to Mhamane, the open schooling system will be benefit external students who appear for board exams as private candidates. The reason why they appear externally is that many of these students have dropped out of school in a particular year and now they wish to appear for SSC or HSC board exams directly.
Earlier such students had to option but to appear for the board exam through a school only, appearing for all subjects as any regular student would have. On the other hand, the open schooling system will allow a student to choose the subjects that he wishes to appear for. However, a few basic subjects like a first language would be mandatory but otherwise the latitude of freedom provided would be unparalleled.
For example, if a student is interested in a learning a specialised skill, he may choose that subject and drop one of the regular subjects. The idea is to keep the pattern as flexible as possible for the students.
Mhamane said that it is for his seniors to decide on finalising the proposal, even if we get the approval the move will be implemented only in the next academic year. “This year, the SSC results will be out early and even supplementary exams would be conducted by July. Usually it takes more time to finalise these proposals and that’s why the open schooling might take effect only in the next academic year,” he said.