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With 20k Attendees & 5 Experts, ScooNews Hosted a Webinar on Sustaining Schools After COVID-19
A webinar hosted by ScooNews where 5 esteemed guests from the education sector discuss schools, teachers and parents’ plight.
With over 20,000+ attendees streaming live, ScooNews hosted yet another successful webinar on 7th May 2020. The panel discussion was about sustaining schools during and after COVID-19, challenges and way forward.
Moderated by Col A Sekhar, Soldier Educationist, the list of panellists included:
- Damodar Goyal, President, Society for Unaided Private Schools of Rajasthan
- Kulbhushan Sharma, President, National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA)
- Dr Swati Popat Vats, President, Podar Education Network and Early Childhood Association India
- Vishnu Karthik, Director, The Heritage Schools
Excerpts
Col A Sekhar: Share your individual perspectives regarding what the schools have seen and are yet to encounter post-COVID-19.
Dr Swati Popat Vats: I like how swiftly the schools caught the rhythm of online education during the Coronavirus outbreak. It’s commendable to see how teachers, especially those belonging to the early childhood education sector, have handled the situation with younger kids. However, I strongly feel that the post-COVID-19 scenario is going to be difficult and that will decide how successful we will be in surviving.
Damodar Goyal: For now, schools should focus on how differently they can emerge to resolve the matters. With this, the government’s intervention in deferment of fees should not be misused. A midway is needed to be found at the earliest.
Col A Sekhar: What are the significant challenges that are faced by the schools?
Vishnu Karthik: A school’s sustainability is in question currently and it needs revenues to solve this issue. What will the future look like, how will the limited resources be used, what is the liability and risk involved are some of the existing worries. Our school, for example, is concerned about how to bring the entire community (parents, educators, professionals) together and help sustain each other.
Col A Sekhar: So, what are the possible solutions that can be considered by the school management across India?
Kulbhushan Sharma: The private schools are under a lot of pressure, they have received less than 20% of the total due fees. Problems are alike everywhere but the private school budget is in deep trouble. According to my survey, it is a chain reaction. As parents refuse to pay the fee, the schools will ultimately fail to generate any revenue. And if these teachers don’t get paid on time, both the education and our economy will suffer. The only solution right now is to be considerate and work together during the pandemic. Sadly, there are some parents who can easily pay the fee but are refraining to do so. If this lot decides to come forward, we can support our teachers. I wish they considered education essential, too.
Vishnu Karthik: This is honestly not a situation in which we can draw a solution from the past. In my opinion, instead of thinking when school should reopen, it’d be wise if we start focusing on resolving the issues teachers are facing right now.
Dr Swati Popat Vats: In India, preschools are not considered necessary, which is a very wrong attitude. It’s about time we acknowledge the efforts preschools, and their teachers are putting in to keep their bond with the little ones strong. It is not easy when you're only communicating virtually, let me say. We are supporting our teachers by paying them their deserving salaries on time.
Col A Sekhar: Looking from a parent’s perspective, what do you have to say?
Damodar Goyal: It is not about the incapacity of the parents to pay the fees, but the uncertainty of the present situation that is worrying them. By saying so, I think schools need to show empathy to understand the problems of such parents in distress. A clear conversation between the two parties can solve a lot.
Col A Sekhar: Talking about the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), when parents are in fear and are uncertain themselves, how can school owners convince them to pay fees?
Damodar Goyal: Let’s get this clear to the parents that private schools are not looking for a profit in this tenure. As the management, you need to conduct transparent talks with the parents and tell them you need them to pay the fee. Let them know that not paying will eventually lead to no salary of the teachers, which is unfair. After all, education is not to be counted in expenditure but one's investment for a better future of their child.
Vishnu Karthik: If you've noticed, the fee cut began much before the government asked to waive it off. The shut down also came at the beginning of the quarter and hence, schools could not collect the pending fees at that time. So far, schools have been understanding and have been responding to parents’ concerns.
Col A Sekhar: How do we possess a better communication with the parents and get their perception right about private schools?
Dr Swati Popat Vats: Schools have a huge role to play when it comes to contributing to the economy. Communicating with the parents one on one is better than sending them generalized circulars. Getting parents on board is very important. Similarly, parents need to communicate with the schools as well.
Col A Sekhar: What do you have to say about the teachers who are handling online pedagogy and household chores with great responsibility?
Vishnu Karthik: A teacher is a teacher first and a teacher last. It is not unknown to the world how much teachers value their profession. To recognise their efforts and understand their plight, it’s crucial we support them. These unsung warriors haven’t been appreciated enough but I think this attitude is going to change now.
Dr Swati Popat Vats: To recognize these unsung heroes, the school management can do its bit by not putting extra pressure on them. Our schools, for example, have asked them to ease into the online teaching schedule slowly and steadily. Apart from this, we’ve made videos for those educators who were not comfortable going online and talking on the screen. We have given them guidelines, reassurance.
Col A Sekhar: Is there a trust deficit between parents and school because of COVID-19 panic? How will it affect children and education in the long run?
Damodar Goyal: Maybe. Schools will now be required to work hard and rebuild this lost trust if that’s the case. On the other hand, parents need to come forward and take responsibility. In my opinion, both need to ensure that their ward’s studies are not getting affected in any way.
Col A Sekhar: How can the government and central/state boards help schools?
Kulbhushan Sharma: I think the government should step up to help with soft loans provided to either schools or parents.
Dr Swati Popat Vats: Preschools do not benefit from boards, they do not come under them. Also, boards do not intervene in such matters. In short, the government should not tell parents to pay and not pay the fee, instead, let the schools decide about the waive-off themselves.
Col A Sekhar: In your opinion, what are the positive pedagogical interventions within the schools that can sustain schooling for the next 12-24 months?
Vishnu Karthik: First, do not go back to the old ways. Use the opportunity to push through and thereby come up with better reforms. For example, let online classes make students independent leaders who make and follow a routine on their own, with limited surveillance. This new role will become a unique kind of student-lead project in schools. Also, this will make them focus only on meaningful tasks.
Dr Swati Popat Vats: I would like to say this to all the leaders out there, reach out to others, be empathetic, have backup plans. It is important to have a leader with good leadership qualities, amidst this crisis.
Col A Sekhar: What is your final appeal to the parents?
Vishnu Karthik: Please recognise the efforts of teachers and schools, do not have negative assumptions, but reach out to us. Be mindful of the type of relationship you want with the schools for the sake of your child.
Damodar Goyal: Believe that schools will provide the full value of money when it comes to your child's education and future.
Kulbhushan Sharma: Appreciate your child’s teachers and schools, help them help you during this trying time. Lastly, pay your due fees.
Dr Swati Popat Vats: I would like to speak from the preschool and daycare’s perspective. Remember, once the lockdown is over, you would need preschools & daycares for your ward’s initial growth. So, appreciate them. Preschools provide a good foundation in the early years. Please know that they are not options, they are essential.
The conclusion of this heartfelt, very extensive session comes out to be rather straightforward. Both schools and parents need to talk directly to each other instead of presuming negatively. Remember we are in this together, and together is how we can be triumphant.
The International Baccalaureate (IB), a global educational foundation headquartered in Switzerland, reports substantial growth over the past five years in India. The surge, amounting to a 31% increase in authorized IB World Schools, reflects the growing preference for IB programs among schools nationwide. According to Haif Bannayan, the Global Director of Business Development at IB, the organization offers four comprehensive programs for students aged 3-19: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-Related Programme (CP).
As of 2023, there are now 226 authorized IB World Schools across India, collectively delivering 378 authorized IB programs. This breakdown includes 138 schools offering PYP, 59 schools providing MYP, 155 schools delivering DP, and 26 schools offering CP. However, the current distribution of IB World Schools remains concentrated in metropolitan areas like New Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
To address this imbalance and make IB education more accessible and affordable nationwide, the Delhi Board of Secondary Education (DBSE) collaborated with IB as part of Delhi’s educational reforms under Arvind Kejriwal. In August 2021, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce IB programs in 30 government schools in Delhi. This initiative aims to encourage more schools to adopt the IB curriculum in the future.
Recognizing the evolving educational landscape in India, IB is actively collaborating with Indian institutions and educational authorities to extend its framework to students from diverse backgrounds and regions. Haif Bannayan expressed eagerness for ongoing dialogues with leaders to facilitate the delivery of high-quality, globally-oriented education to an even greater number of students.
The Diploma Programme (DP) offered by IB stands out globally, consistently aligning with or surpassing international standards, as indicated by the DP Country Alignment Study 2023. The study emphasizes the adaptability of DP courses to diverse national contexts, showcasing their seamless integration. Furthermore, it underscores the meticulous crafting of DP curricula to facilitate substantial depth and breadth of learning, illustrating their rigor and comprehensive educational value.
Bannayan highlighted the IB’s acclaim for its emphasis on languages and global principles, coupled with a consideration of students’ cultural backgrounds. This approach fosters a profound comprehension of the world, shaping graduates into multilingual thinkers poised to make a positive impact on a global scale.
In a thrilling, high-energy competition, the Indian Debating League (IDL) 3.0, which brought together 450 schools across 25 States and Union Territories across the country, successfully concluded its highly anticipated Finale at IIT Delhi today. Team Maharashtra won the coveted title of Indian Debating League in the Middle school category (IDL) 2023- 3rd Edition while Team Haryana stood first in the Junior & Senior school category. This event has not only showcased the remarkable talent of our nation’s young debaters but also underscored the importance of exploring our cultural roots across the Eras and reclaiming our heritage. The event promised a dynamic exchange of ideas, with a distinguished panel of Judges from IIT DebSoc. Global Language learning leader, Burlington English and Indian Debating League (IDL) hosted the finals of the Indian Debating League at IIT Delhi.
This year’s edition attracted participation from schools from all corners of India, including Vasant Valley, New Delhi; Step by Step, Noida; Strawberry Fields High School, Chandigarh; Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai; Learning Paths School, Punjab; Jammu Sanskriti School; Kanha Makhan Public School, Vrindavan; Billabong High International, Jabalpur; American International School, Chennai; Woodstock School, Mussoorie; NASR School, Hyderabad and Jayshree Periwal International School, Jaipur.
Amit Baveja, MD, Burlington English India said, “As we conclude the exhilarating journey of the Indian Debating League 3.0 Finals, Burlington English is proud to stand alongside IDL and IIT Delhi in fostering a culture of eloquence, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. As an extension to our commitment towards the New Education Policy 2023 that strongly emphasizes developing oral, written, and digital communication skills, to enable effective expression of ideas and collaboration among students, we align seamlessly with the spirit of this competition. We believe that through platforms like IDL, we are not just shaping skilled debaters but contributing to the development of articulate leaders for tomorrow.”
Renowned and celebrated for fostering 21st-century skills in a gamified, engaging format, the Indian Debating League is a unique format modeled on the IPL. Having partnered with Debate Coaches from the top 10 countries on the WSDC Leaderboard, they are keen to put Indian Student Talent on top, tangibility ensuring recognition.
Commending the IDL 3.0 Finale, Rajnish Kumar, co-author of “The Power and Curiosity” and COO, of National e-Governance Division, Digital India Corporation said “Curiosity and the art of debate are two powerful forces that drive intellectual exploration and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us. These interconnected aspects of learning not only stimulate critical thinking but also ignite a passion for knowledge and discovery. When combined with the art of debate, curiosity becomes even more potent. Debates like this can empower individuals to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and active participants in shaping a more informed and inclusive society.
Kamal Kashyap, Founder, and CTO of, Indian Debating League said, “In a month the Olympics of Debating will happen at WUDC Vietnam, setting the trend for the hiring of University Coaches at Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford, as well as National Debate Coaches and Judging Paradigm for contemporary themes around the world. Our national Debating Leagues like IDL 3.0, Republic Day Forensics, Frankenstein Sustainability, as well as mentoring the 350+ Adjudicator Landscape for India is the foundation upon which we look forward to leapfrog in building future skills.”
The final Event at IIT Delhi was an electrifying display of oratory skills by contestants from 3rd to 12th grades, engaging with the theme The Odyssey of India- Ancient India to AI Led India, rethinking culture and reclaiming our heritage.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is thrilled to announce the signing of a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK). This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in advancing academic and professional growth within the realms of accounting, finance, and management. The MoU was formalized between the representatives of the two leading institutions – Md. Sajid Khan, Director – India, ACCA, and Lt Col MKK Mohan (Retd), Consultant General Administration, IIM Kozhikode, in the presence of senior officials from ACCA and IIMK.
The strategic alliance between ACCA, a globally recognized professional accountancy body providing qualifications and advancing standards in accountancy worldwide, and IIMK, renowned for its unwavering commitment to academic excellence, establishes a robust framework for mutual cooperation. This collaboration is poised to enhance educational offerings, skills development, and career opportunities for students pursuing disciplines related to accounting, finance, and management.
Under this transformative partnership, students at IIMK will gain exclusive access to a comprehensive suite of resources, including specialized training programs, workshops, and certifications offered by ACCA.
Furthermore, this collaboration extends to the esteemed faculty members of the Finance, Accounting & Control department at IIMK, who will benefit from collaborative research opportunities, professional development activities, and access to ACCA’s extensive network of industry experts. This exchange of knowledge and expertise promises to elevate the academic environment, ensuring that the curriculum remains at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in accounting, finance, and management.
Md. Sajid Khan, Director-India, ACCA said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with IIMK. Our organizations share a commitment to excellence in their respective fields, and this is a win-win situation for both organizations. ACCA, with its global presence and unparalleled network, is well poised to play its part in supporting and furthering IIMK’s motto and agenda of ‘Globalising Indian Thought.”
Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIM Kozhikode added, “Collaborations such as these bring the best of business education and technical know-how and are fundamental to promoting research, training, academics, and financial expertise to overcome the global skill gap. IIM Kozhikode, along with ACCA, is privileged to play its part in nation-building and training the best of the best to take on emerging global market challenges head-on.”
The signing of this MoU between ACCA and IIMK underscores a shared vision to bridge the gap between academia and industry, creating a seamless pathway for students to transition into the workforce. This partnership reaffirms the commitment of both entities to excellence in accounting education and the advancement of the accounting profession.
IIM Kozhikode faculty members present for the signing of the MoU included – Prof. Rajesh Upadhyayula (Dean – Programmes), Prof. Sudershan Kuntluru, Prof. Ramprasath L, Prof. Rachappa Shette, Prof. VG Sridharan, and Prof. Qambar Abidi. Other members present from ACCA were: Ms. Naina VG – Head – Employer Relationships – India, Mr. Sivakumar Vijayavelu – Manager of Employer relationships – India, and Mr. Christopher S Dhas – Lead of education Partner Relationships (South India).
News
Last Date To Submit Applications Under National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme Extended Up To 31 December
The last date for submission of applications for NMMSS for the year 2023-24 is 31st December 2023. Under the ‘National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme’ scholarships are awarded to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to arrest their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to continue their education at the secondary stage. One lakh fresh scholarships are awarded to selected students from class IX every year and their continuation/renewal in classes X to XII for students studying in State Government, Government-aided, and local body schools. The amount of the scholarship is Rs. 12000/- per annum.
The National Means cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is boarded on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – a one-stop platform for scholarship schemes given to students. NMMSS scholarships are disbursed directly into the bank accounts of selected students by electronic transfer through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) following the DBT mode. This is a Central Sector Scheme.
Students whose parental income from all sources is not more than Rs. 3,50,000/- per annum are eligible to avail of the scholarships. The students must have a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade in the Class VII examination to appear in the selection test for the award of a scholarship (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST students).
There are two levels of verification, L1 is the Institute Nodal Officer (INO) Level and L2 is the District Nodal Officer (DNO) Level. The last date for INO level (L1) verification is 15th January 2024 and for DNO level (L2) verification is 30th January 2024.
Imarticus Learning, a leading Indian ed-tech platform, recently released the “Data Science Education Report 2023,” forecasting a significant surge in the global data science education sector. According to the report, the sector is poised to reach an impressive $378.7 billion by 2030, with India’s data science education market expected to reach $1.391 billion by 2028—a remarkable leap from $204.23 million in 2023, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 57.52%.
This substantial growth is attributed to a paradigm shift toward data-driven decision-making across diverse industries. Simultaneously, the online education sector is predicted to experience remarkable expansion, escalating from $76.20 million to $533.69 million.
In the realm of job market and recruitment trends, the report identifies data scientists, data analysts, business analysts, and big data engineers as the most in-demand roles. Presently, there are 215,793 open positions in the big data and analytics job market, with projections indicating a surge to over 338,000 by 2028. Key players such as Amazon, AWS, Bain and Company, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and Google are actively seeking data science professionals, offering competitive annual remuneration packages ranging from Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 35.1 lakh.
India is solidifying its position as a global powerhouse for big data analytics with an estimated 30.1% CAGR. The industry is set to grow from $5.7 billion in 2022 to a substantial $30.7 billion by 2027. During this period, India is expected to capture 32% of the global analytics market, creating significant educational and employment opportunities.
The report identifies key roles driving the expansion of the data science sector, with Data Scientists (10.9%), data analysts (10.7%), and business analysts (10%) leading the pack. Financial analysts (5.3%), big data engineers (4.2%), data specialists (1.2%), business intelligence analysts (1.2%), and data science managers (0.9%) are also in high demand. Furthermore, the report highlights a growing demand for professionals with expertise in natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision, technologies fueling innovation in AI applications across various industries.
Imarticus Learning recommends sustained investments in AI research and development as crucial areas for educational institutes to align with industry demands. Nikhil Barshikar, Founder and CEO of Imarticus Learning, emphasizes the importance of nurturing the data scientists of tomorrow, stating, “The Data Science Education Report 2023 reflects India’s growing interest in data science education. It’s more than simply education; it’s a journey into the future, one data scientist at a time.”
The Ministry of Education has launched the third phase of Yuva Sangam, a program designed under the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative. In this phase, a delegation of 50 students from diverse parts of Madhya Pradesh is embarking on a cultural-cum-educational tour to West Bengal.
The primary objective of Yuva Sangam is to promote experiential learning and acquaint youth with the rich diversity of India. This program offers an immersive experience covering various facets of life, developmental landmarks, architectural and engineering marvels, industrial progress, and recent achievements in the host state. Emphasizing people-to-people connections, the Ministry of Education stated that exposure tours will be conducted throughout November and December 2023 as part of the ongoing phase.
The participants, mainly students from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and individuals aged 18-30 from across the nation, will be traveling to their paired states. The exposure tours will focus on five broad areas: Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development), Prodyogik (Technology), and Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect) in the host states.
Yuva Sangam Phase-III encompasses the involvement of 22 States and Union Territories, with Higher Education Institutions paired for exposure tours, such as Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh-IIT Delhi, IIT Dharwad-IIT Ropar, SPPU Pune-IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad-BHU Varanasi, IIM Trichy-IIIT Kota, IIM Sambalpur-NIT Calicut, IIITDM Jabalpur-IIT Kharagpur, IIIT Ranchi-NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Goa-IIT Bhilai, and IIM Bodhgaya-IIIT Surat.
Building upon the success of the first two phases, which engaged over 2000 participants, the third phase is expected to generate considerable enthusiasm and vigor. This initiative aligns with the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ vision of the Government of India, aiming to expand the intellectual horizons of young individuals and sensitize them to India’s diversity, fostering a more connected, empathetic, and technologically robust future.
Affirming the constitutional right to education for all students, irrespective of their backgrounds, the Kerala High Court issued a noteworthy interim order on Thursday. The court emphasized that educational authorities should prioritize safeguarding this fundamental right over endorsing non-educational activities.
The order was issued in response to the state educational authorities’ plan to send school students to the Nava Kerala Sadas, an event organized in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet.
Justice Devan Ramachandran, in the interim order, warned headmasters and principals of schools not to subject any students to activities outside the educational curriculum on the instructions of the official respondents in this case. The court highlighted that the right to education is constitutionally protected for every student, regardless of their class, creed, or status. It asserted that the duty of educational authorities is to safeguard this right rather than encourage students to participate in non-educational activities.
During the court hearing, the government assured that no child would be compelled or encouraged to participate in any event across the districts of Kerala. Despite considering closing the writ petition based on this assurance, Justice Ramachandran stated that it is crucial to ensure that authorities do not abuse their powers in the future.
Students who have successfully completed their 10+2 education without including biology in their curriculum are now deemed eligible to participate in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET (UG), as per the latest guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC).
The updated regulations, effective from June 2, 2023, bring about a significant change in the eligibility criteria. According to Regulation 11(b), candidates who have passed 10+2 with physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English from any recognized board are now eligible to appear for NEET-UG. This marks a departure from the previous requirement, which mandated the inclusion of biology or biotechnology as a core subject.
This revision comes in response to a series of queries and legal challenges related to eligibility criteria in medical education. Previously, under the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997, candidates pursuing MBBS had to complete two years of continuous study in physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English during their 11th and 12th grades. The Delhi High Court nullified these provisions in 2018, affecting candidates seeking admission to foreign medical institutions.
In an effort to address these issues, the NMC introduced the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023. The new regulations not only make candidates without biology eligible for NEET-UG but also apply retrospectively, providing relief to those whose applications for eligibility certificates were previously rejected.
In a meeting held on June 14, 2023, the NMC, taking into account the flexibility offered by the New Education Policy, decided to revisit its earlier stance. Candidates can now study the required subjects as additional subjects after completing Class 12th from recognized boards and still remain eligible for NEET-UG and the Eligibility Certificate.
This decision has broader implications as it not only resolves pending court cases but also allows candidates who have become eligible post this announcement to participate in NEET-UG 2024. Additionally, court cases filed by the Medical Council of India (MCI)/NMC will be withdrawn, and the updated position will be presented in ongoing litigations filed by candidates against the MCI/NMC for a more expeditious resolution.
President Droupadi Murmu marked the culmination of her Odisha visit by inaugurating the ‘New Education for New India’ campaign, orchestrated by the Brahma Kumaris in Sambalpur. This initiative, designed to instill values and elevate the consciousness of students, is poised to contribute to the creation of a more enlightened and ethical society.
During her address at the launch, President Murmu underscored the pivotal role of education in societal transformation. She emphasized that foundational to our culture are moral and human values such as service, equality, and sympathy. The President urged the youth to familiarize themselves with these ideals, stressing the importance of caring for elderly parents and marginalized sections of society to foster positive societal development.
President Murmu articulated that moral education is a catalyst for personal and societal growth, bringing about positive transformations. By instilling life values of compassion, kindness, friendship, and fraternity, moral education cultivates an awareness that can lead to constructive changes within individuals and, consequently, contribute to the betterment of society.
Expressing her satisfaction, President Murmu commended Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya for its commitment to paving the way to happiness, peace, and joy. Through character-building, self-realization, and divine experiences, the organization is actively contributing to the positive development of individuals and the community.
The ‘New Education for New India’ campaign, inaugurated by President Murmu, serves as a significant step towards fostering a values-driven educational landscape for the youth in Sambalpur and beyond.
A high-level panel led by C I Issac has recommended the inclusion of epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata in social sciences textbooks, as well as inscribing the Preamble of the Constitution on classroom walls. The seven-member committee, formed last year, has put forth various suggestions for the final position paper on social sciences, a pivotal document guiding the development of new textbooks by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
The NCERT has not yet made a decision on these recommendations. C I Issac, the committee chairperson, highlighted the importance of teaching epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata in the social sciences syllabus, asserting that it fosters self-esteem, patriotism, and pride in the nation among students in their teenage years. Issac expressed concern about a lack of patriotism leading to many students seeking citizenship in other countries and stressed the need for a deeper understanding of one’s roots and culture.
Emphasizing the significance of incorporating these epics into the curriculum, Issac acknowledged that while some boards already cover them, a more comprehensive approach is necessary. Additionally, the panel suggested replacing the term ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in textbooks, introducing ‘Classical History’ in lieu of ancient History, and highlighting “Hindu victories” in textbooks for classes 3 to 12.
Issac underscored the nobility of the Preamble, which values social ideals like democracy and secularism. As a result, the panel recommended displaying the Preamble on classroom walls to enhance understanding and learning. The NCERT is currently revising the school curriculum in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with the anticipation that the new textbooks will be ready for the next academic session.
The recommendations made by the panel will be considered by the 19-member National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC), established in July, tasked with finalizing the curriculum, textbooks, and learning materials for these classes.
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