State Govt mulls over tougher syllabi for science, maths

The Maharashtra school education department is contemplating introducing textbooks published by Delhi-based NCERT for science and mathematics, reports Kiran Wadhwa.

SSC students might be heading towards a tougher syllabus which, say educationists and parents, will eventually stand them in good stead.

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The Maharashtra school education department is contemplating introducing textbooks published by Delhi-based National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for science and mathematics. Since subjects like history and geography include details specific to each state, whereas the science and mathematic syllabi are uniform across the country.

“We are thinking of introducing NCERT textbooks only in science and mathematics as they are uniform,” said Sanjay Kumar, principal secretary, school education.

“NCERT textbooks are much better in terms of quality and expanse compared to textbooks under the state board,” said Father Laurie Ferrao, who teaches at Xavier’s Institute of Communication.

The NCERT syllabus is expected to help SSC students fare better at national entrance examinations for medical and engineering courses.

Parents too feel that the difficulty level will be better for students. “It is indeed difficult but children will have greater perspective,” said Arundhati Chavan, president of Parents and Teachers United Forum.

She, however, insisted that the books should be introduced in Class 1. “They must be given time to adjust to the higher standard.”