Page 18 - EW May 2023_Neat

Education News

DELHI teacher educators, experts, scholars
Micro-management apprehensions and professionals on the various sec-

tions and recommendations of this
NCF-School Education. While giving
your feedback, it needs to be kept
in view that this is a pre-draft of the
NCF-SE which still requires several
rounds of discussion within the
National Steering Committee (NSC).
Feedback from diverse stakeholders
will further help NSC to look criti-
cally into different modalities and
approaches that this framework is
proposing.”
Although the voluminous reports
and deeply detailed NEP 2020
implementation manuals produced
after the Kasturirangan Commit-
tee’s 484-page report was translated
in the 60-page NEP 2020 and the
production of the 360-page NCF-FS
Dr. Kasturirangan (centre) with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan (right) (foundational stage) report followed
by the 628-page NCF-SE report to
ndia is headed for a sweeping reor- tion of critical thinking in lieu of be followed by 10 implementation
ganisation of its school system in rote learning, in school education. volumes reflect well on Dr. Kasturi-
Ithe next few years. The 628-page The Steering Committee for imple- rangan’s enthusiasm and attention to
draft National Curriculum Frame- menting NEP 2020, chaired by the detail, it raises questions of over-
work for School Education (NCF-SE) indefatigable Dr. K. Kasturirangan, centralisation and prolixity. Not
made public on April 6, based on the has already completed the NCF-FS a few educationists wonder about
National Education Policy (NEP) (foundational stage) made public implementation time lines and who
2020, offers ample evidence of the last October to universal acclama- will read these detailed reports and
impending overhaul. The NCF-SE tion. Now it is working on NCF-SE volumes.
draft has been placed in the public which will be followed by detailed “NCF 2005 was also finalised by
domain for feedback and sugges- implementation manuals for NCF- 10 focus groups which produced ex-
tions from all stakeholders without a TE (teacher education) and NCF-AE cellent implementation reports. But
deadline and also circulated to state (adult education). the point is very few principals and
governments for their views. The recently completed draft teachers bothered to read them, let
The expectation within the Union NCF-SE is an exhaustive and de- alone implement them. That’s why
education ministry is that NCF-SE tailed document of 628 pages which despite these excellent reports and
will move closer to finality within provides a road-map for seamless implementation manuals, learning
the next three-four months and new integration of 13 curricular goals outcomes in primary education re-
textbooks will be written for the aca- for transforming school education main poor as testified by the Annual
demic year 2024-25. The latter pro- in all its stages. This draft will be Status of Education Reports (ASER)
cess has already begun with history supplemented by manuals written by of the authoritative Pratham Educa-
textbooks authorised by NCERT — a 25 focus groups and a consultative tion Foundation. Other surveys also
subsidiary of the Union education process. indicate that learning outcomes of
ministry — which have omitted the In a statement accompanying re- India’s children are deteriorating. So
entire Mughal period (1526-1857), lease of the draft NCF-SE for public quite obviously these lengthy reports
having already generated massive scrutiny, the ministry of education and detailed implementation road-
controversy. says: “Given the diverse needs of stu- maps don’t work,” says the principal
Undoubtedly there are sev- dents, multiple pedagogic approach- of an upscale CISCE-affiliated school
eral positive features in NEP 2020 es, learning-teaching material at the in Delhi.
including the formalisation of early different stages of school education, This over centralisation and
childhood education, inclusion of it is felt important to take feedback micro-management of big ticket
vocational education and promo- from students, parents, teachers, reforms envisaged in the 628-page

18 EDUCATIONWORLD MAY 2023