Chennai: ‘Do-it-yourself’ experiments, greater emphasis on practical lessons and classroom projects form a major chunk of the state board syllabi for science, social science and maths for Classes VI-X in the upcoming academic years.The draft curriculum for these classes, released by SCERT in line with the state education policy launched in Aug last year, also calls for a change in the mode of assessment, incorporating field visits by students and oral questionnaires to test students’ conceptual understanding. Classes IV-VIII will receive new books in the next academic year, and Class IX and above in the subsequent year.“Nothing has been finalised yet, but the plan is to make the books text-light and packed with experiments and activities to prevent rote learning. For instance, students learning about flora, fauna or biodiversity will be asked to keep a journal recording their observations of the environment around them to understand the subject better. Similarly, subjects such as history and civics will be drafted in a narrative style for easier understanding,” a senior faculty with the SCERT said.The school education dept released a draft syllabus for Classes I-V in Jan this year, in which concepts such as safety, first aid, life skills and financial literacy were proposed to be included in the curriculum. Classes I-III received the new textbooks this year.A perusal of the draft revealed that in maths subject, SCERT pushed use of digital tools such as dynamic geometry software, graphing utilities and simulations for teaching geometrical concepts.In social science, Class VIII students will learn about QR codes, mobile banking, cyber fraud, and cybersecurity. Educationists have been given time till Aug 31 to provide feedback on the draft. “The department should ideally bring the Constitution into the curriculum, with subjects to help students understand its essence and importance. Merely learning about the preamble and the Constitution as a part of the social science subject is not enough,” P B Prince Gajendra Babu, state general secretary, State Platform for Common School System-TN, said.
