Holistic changes cutting across subjects, including English, maths, science, history and art, will be implemented in the state syllabi of standard 1 to 8 from the next academic year.
The changes will be implemented phase-wise, said director of the Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training centre (MSCERT), K Jarag.
While speaking exclusively to DNA, he said, "These changes were made to bring a holistic approach towards education. The State Curriculum Framework, 2010 (SCF) was made on the lines of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005."
"SCF includes projects for all subjects. The focus will be on the learning skills rather dwelling upon the theoretical base,” added Jarag. “It stresses on honing the studying and learning skills of students, besides giving Indian references, rather than Western.”
Therefore, students will now learn how to relate math with their day-to-day lives. Similarly, in science, they will learn the skills of observation and experiments. In history, students will also learn about their family, village, city, taluka and district history.
Jarag said various dialects of Marathi will be introduced and that the curriculum will include agriculture and science and technology. “We intend to give them an insight into the problems in society and urge them to think and act as responsible citizens," he added.
After the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, came into existence, a government resolution (GR) was issued on August 20, 2010, adopting the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation method to judge a child.
Recently, school education minister Rajendra Darda had announced that the curriculum would be changed for standard 1 to 8 students. "The evaluation system now includes questions like 'what will you do in such a situation?' This will prompt students to think rather than just mug up answers," Jarag said.
He added that teachers have been given training for the same and those who require training will be provided with.
