The Hindu : New Delhi News : Agreement on control-free education

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Friday, Dec 03, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Agreement on control-free education

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC. 2. Emphasising the need for flexibility in school curriculum, the first meeting of the National Steering Committee set up to review the National Curriculum Framework saw experts agree on the need to remove controls and barriers in the school system and allow self-expression and creativity to flourish by setting in motion a system where education is not delivered but created.

Held on November 30, the meeting chaired by the well-known scientist and educationist, Yash Pal, was attended by 24 of the 28 members nominated to the committee. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Yash Pal observed that separation of manual productive work from mental training was the bane of the current system and the curriculum must have a unifying dimension to it and shun fragmented, inorganic knowledge in favour of learning from life.

While 21national focus committees are already in place to deal with various school subjects, education of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and minority groups as well as those with special needs, gender issues, art and music, examination reform and peace education, a consultation

committee consisting of experts nominated by the States will also hold its own meetings.

Early childhood education was one of the important topics discussed at the meeting. While it was agreed that the curriculum framework should be in consonance with the developmental processes of young learners, teacher training, some members felt remained an "exercise in futility because teacher educators are rarely amenable to policy change''. Human rights, peace education and rural education were some of the key concern areas taken up at the meeting.

The final document prepared by the committee would be placed before the Central Advisory Board of Education for discussion and approval next year.

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