Class VIII should act as springboard for students to identify and pursue their areas of interest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The draft school curriculum framework report prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) recommended the government to leverage technology to improve the teaching learning experience to the optimum level. The report recommended the use of audio-visual content to improve the English-speaking efficiency of students and wanted the government to identify suitable software tools to improve the school education system in general.
One of the major recommendations in the report is that education in class VIII should be redefined in such a way that it would act as a `springboard’ for students to decide and design their higher education trajectory. The report asked the government to introduce optional subjects and a credit system from class VIII to cater to the convenience and interest of students. From class 9, students should get the permission and chance to study any language they prefer to gain additional credits. The report thus advocates bold interventions and judicious use of technology and technology assisted school education.
Considering the widespread complaints about the heaviness of curriculum followed in higher secondary classes, the report asked the government to have a serious relook and consider the option to reduce the number of compulsory subjects from four to three. The study of the fourth subject should be optional, while English language studies would be compulsory.
The report said the undue importance currently attributed to term examinations should be reviewed at the micro level. Avenues for decentration of knowledge gathering should be incorporated and gender equality should be maintained throughout in textbooks.

Identifying most of the challenges in school education as second generation issues, the report wanted students to be given responsible access to technology for inquisitive studies. The preparation of textbooks should be of inclusive nature and hence should consider the marginalised sections, including coastal population, linguistic minorities and other state students.
There should be a strict mechanism to ensure that women, Dalits and minorities are not excluded or misrepresented in the picturisation in textbooks. 85 % of pre-school textbooks can be used for picturisation. The same can be reduced to 70 % in lower primary classes, 40 % in upper primary classes and 20 % in higher secondary classes. The report which stressed on the importance of mother tongue in education insisted that education in pre-primary classes should be in Malayalam.

Special textbooks with big/imposed fonds are recommended for students suffering from low vision. two sets of books can be considered and one of the same can be permanently kept either in schools or at home. Textbooks should attain an ever- evolving stature. Education should help students to develop a strong sense against cybercrimes, environment studies and waste management should be given emphasis. Online access to digital archives and virtual tools to historically important places far off.