Rationale for new curriculum
J.S. Rajput
THE national curriculum framework for school education (NCFSE-2000), expectedly and very rightly, is in the news. The debate was initiated by the NCERT when it published the “Discussion document on national curriculum framework for school education in January, 2000.

Mom, I am going to school

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Rationale for new curriculum
J.S. Rajput

THE national curriculum framework for school education (NCFSE-2000), expectedly and very rightly, is in the news. The debate was initiated by the NCERT when it published the “Discussion document on national curriculum framework for school education in January, 2000.

The NCERT is the apex organisation established by the government to assist every child in his/her learning enterprise. Its mandate is to provide professional assistance in policy formulation and implementation in respect of school education.

A peisual of the National Policy on Education, 1986 and 1992 as also of the corresponding Programme of Action documents would reveal that the curriculum development and renewal exercises should be taken up after five years. The NCERT could be very rightly accused of having delayed the process of curriculum renewal by several years and particularly for not taking it up after the acceptance of the National Policy on Education, 1992. The books prepared in response to the 1988 Curriculum Framework document continued without any revision/renewal. Changes occurring in every sector of human activity during this period obviously could not be internalised into the school curriculum and consequently the books and other materials became deficient and outdated. This was noted by the parents, teachers and often pointed out to the NCERT. Self-proclaimed intelligence sleuths of ideology-oriented academicians are now out with a large size magnifying glass to find out why the NCERT has taken up a process of curriculum renewal. The glaring fact that it was a much delayed and urgently needed response to the 1992 National Policy on Education by a professional organisation has conveniently escaped their attention.

The NCERT has identified and undertaken specific initiatives for children who need special care and attention, including those of SC/ST categories, minorities, the disabled and all those who need and deserve special and extra attention. Needless to say such initiatives have their limitations because of resources, circumstances, situations, collaborations and response from various levels.

It is indeed amusing that the NCERT is being accused of assisting globalisation. The NCERT curriculum framework for school education clearly identifies universalisation of elementary education as one of the prime concerns before the nation. The entire document is built upon this ‘priority’ and its implications. The document very clearly indicates that every effort must be made to ensure that those who study in well-equipped and well provided schools and other institutions do not relegate the remaining ones to the background.

Out of 100 children who should pass Class X, only six or seven do so. What will happen to more than 90% which include those declared failed by the Boards of School Examinations, the dropouts and the unenrolled. They are left to lead a demotivated and demoralised life. The NCERT is highly concerned with this enormous demotivation and demoralisation leading to severe underutilisation of youth energies.

The suggestion to have school-based system of students evaluation is a professionally sound suggestion already in practice in educationally advanced nations. It is capable of providing opportunities to young ones to revive their levels of motivation and understand that there are umpteen avenues to contribute to the national endeavours if the simple principle of acquiring skills, renewing skills and putting them to actual use is internalised.

In classes X and XII, however, the performance of students in co-scholastic areas will be assessed by the school and conveyed to the board for inclusion in the statement of marks or grades awarded in the scholastic areas of study. Such approach can be misconstrued only by those who are either determined not to see the realities of the situation or are under certain dogmatic influences.

The traditional Indian system of education was fully managed and maintained by the community which had the authority to take decisions and also the corresponding accountability to ensure education. The teacher was the final arbiter. The Britishers, for their own reasons made every possible effort to destroy the indigenous system. After Independence, predictably under the influence of bureaucracy, India continued an alien system, not suited to the country. The five decades after Independence have very clearly indicated that the communities gradually got alienated as education was considered to be the responsibility of the government alone.

The author is Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi.

Mom, I am going to school
O.S. Shekhawat

Dear mom,

Thank you for sending me to school. I feel so happy today. I have always wondered how papa could read the newspaper. I shall learn fast to read like him.

I shall read books to know how people get inside the TV. But I dislike that fighting and blood in the movies. I want to talk about the stars! I also want to know who colours those beautiful butterflies.

You have always given me good food so that I can become strong. Please also suggest me things that will make my mind grow. I shall be asking you so many questions. Don’t snub me. Please explain to me what is written in these colourful books of mine.

Sometimes take me around to see the beautiful world outside. Ask papa to come back early from office because I love talking to you both. I become upset when you get angry or when you and papa quarrel.

Teach me how can I win the love of my friends and teachers. I want to share my things with them. Don’t help me too much in my work lest I become overdependent. Kindly advise my teacher not to overload me with work so that I can play.

Please make me imbibe the difference between freedom and discipline. Also keep me away from envy, greed, untruth, fear and hate though I don’t fully understand these big words.

I will miss you when I am away to school but you’ve told me that is important. I shall remember your advice to take care of my books and bag. I shall be right back. Bye.

A You can opt for MCA (Master of Computer Applications) at IGNOU if you have done BCA from IGNOU or any other university. Otherwise, graduates from other disciplines need to do a CIC (Certificate in Computing) or DCO (Diploma in Computers in Office Management) from IGNOU itself. This 6-semester MCA course can be completed in 3-7 years.

Those who have not studied Maths at 10+2 level are required to successfully complete the PPC (Preparatory Programming in Computing) in the first/second semester of the MCA programme.

Lateral entry: Under this provision those who possess a PGDCA from a recognised university/’A’ Level DOEACC certificate after graduation and pass the test conducted by IGNOU can seek direct entry into the second year (3rd semester) of MCA. Those who have completed the CMC course can directly appear for IGNOU’s first semester MCA exam.

CIC is a 6-month course (extendable to 2 years) for which the eligibility is 10+2.

DCO is a 1-year (extendable to 4 years) course for which the eligibility is graduation or 10+2 with 3-year work experience.

Fees: Rs. 7000-9000.

Admission: Through partner institutions is conducted twice a year in January and June, whereas regular admission is done once a year.

A Although women have been traditionally recruited in the armed forces in the medical and nursing corps, today the Indian Army offers several other openings for women. There are a greater number of women in non-combatant areas in the Army such as the army service corps, ordinance corps, the judge advocate general’s branch, the intelligence branch, etc. Women graduates are selected through the SSB and medical tests only in the Short Service Commission for a period of seven years, which is extendable to ten years. They are not granted Permanent Commissioned jobs.

Women are inducted as officers through the Women Special Entry Scheme into the following branches of the Army:

Non-Technical Entry: includes jobs in Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Signals, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering.

Technical Entry: includes jobs in Corps of Engineers, Corps of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, Signals.

Specialist Entry: includes jobs in Army Service Corps, Army Education Corps, Army Intelligence Corps.

Eligibility:

Unmarried females, issueless widows/divorcees.

Age: 19-25 yrs for graduates; 21-27 yrs for postgraduates.

For (1): BA/BCom/BCA/BSc (PCM) with 60% agg. (50% for those possessing NCC ‘C’ certificate with ‘B’ grade).

For (2): BE/BTech in Civil/Electrical/Mechanical/Electronics/Computer Sc & Telecommunications Engg.

For (3): Postgraduate degree in Biochemistry/Microbiology/Organic Chemistry (50% agg).

3-year Diploma/Degree in Hotel Management.

Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication/Journalism/Public Relations.

Postgraduation in Physics/Maths/Computer Applications/English/ History.

Graduation with Diploma in Computer Sc/Personnel Mgt/Materials Mgt.

Candidates must meet certain physical standards. Shortlisted candidates are called for interviews conducted by the SSB. The selection procedure consists of two stages based on Psychological Aptitude Tests. After the interview, shortlisted candidates have to appear for a medical examination.

Upon selection, candidates undergo training for a period of six months before they are granted commission.

For the Law Cadre, the eligibility is a 3-year or 5-year degree in Law with a minimum of 55% (agg). The age requirement being 21-27 years.

Women with an MBBS degree from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) can join the Army Medical Services while BDS degree-holders are inducted into the Army Dental Corps.

The notifications for entry into the army are published from time to time in leading national dailies.

For further information, you may contact:

Additional Directorate General of Recruiting (Women Entry Section), West Block-III, RK Puram, New Delhi 110066.

Editor, Career Hotline, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh.

Faculty of Education, University of Delhi, Central Institute of Education Bldg, 33 Chhatra Marg, Delhi 110007. E-mail: cieidu@nda.vsnl.net.in

May 18 (1) BEd (1 yr FT)

Jun 08 (2) B EI Ed (4 yrs FT) for women only

Jun 18 (3) MPES (2 yrs FT); PGDPEd (1 yr FT)

Jun 22 (4) MEd (1 yr FT & 2 yrs PT)

Jul 01 (5) PhD (Educn)

Jul 15 (6) MPhil (Educn)

Elig: See details in Employment News 21-27 April

Appln F: Send Rs. 60/- by DD favouring "Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Delhi" with self-addressed envelope (25 x 15 cm) to the ‘Dean, Faculty of Education’ at the above address.

May 31 Regional Engineering College, Hazratbal, Srinagar 190006.

ME: Water Resources Engineering

Elig: BE Civil (60% agg).( AMIE 65% + 2 yrs field/research/teaching exp/GATE

Score)

Appln F: Send Rs. 100/-by DD favouring "Principal, Regional Engineering College, Srinagar. Or in cash from office of Asst Registrar (Acad).

May 31 National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), NIFT Campus, Hauz Khas, Near Gulmohar Park, New Delhi 110016. Ph: 6522568, 6851259

Website: www.niftindia.com

Fashion Design & Information Technology (including BCA)

Elig: 10+2 with Maths elect.

Selection: Written test & Interview: 10 June at NIFT centres

Fee: Rs. 55,000/- per sem (8 sem)

Appln F: Send Rs. 30,000/- (refundable) by DD favouring "NIFT, New Delhi" payable at New Delhi to Ms. Kalpana Swamy, Registrar, NIFT at the above address along with 2-copies of attested certificates and 2 photographs (passport size) before 31 May. OR download from website.

May 9 Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management (IIIT), Gola Ka Mandir, MITS Campus, Gwalior 474005 (M/o HRD, GoI)

Website: www.iiitm.ac.in PG Dip in IT (3 sem)

Elig: (1) Bachelor’s (60% agg) or CGPA Score 6.75. (2) 4 yrs Bachelor’s in Comp Sc & Engg/Comp Engg/IT/Electron Engg &/or

Communication Engg/Electrical Engg/Instrum or equiv. (3) Valid GATE Score (90 percentile).

Test: 20 May at Gwalior.

Appln F: Send Rs. 250/- by DD favouring "IIITM, Gwalior" payable at Gwalior with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 45/-) A-4 envelope to ‘Chairman, Admissions, IIITM, at above address before 2 May.

Jun 11 University of Pune, Bioinformatics Centre, Pune 411007

Website: www.bioinfo.ernet.in/~diploma

Advanced Dip in Bioinformatics (1 yr)

Elig: MV Sc, MSc (Agri), MPharm, MD, ME, MCA, BE, MBBS & BTech (60% agg).

Test: June 24.

Appln F: Send Rs. 50/- by DD to the "Director, Bioinformatics Centre, University of Pune" Payable to The Registrar, at the above address.

May 31 Indira Gandhi National Open Univ (IGNOU), PO Bag No. 2, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068. 1) MBA 3) Dip in Mgmt 2) PG Dip in Mgmt/HRD/Financial Mgmt/Op Mgmt/Mktg Mgmt

Elig: Bachelor’s degree with 3 yrs supervisory/managerial/prof exp OR

BE/BTech/MBBS/BArch/LLB OR Prof qual ie CA/CWA/CS etc. OR Master’s degree in any subject. Non-grads with 6 yrs work exp may apply for (2).

Test: (OPENMAT-X) on 5 Aug at 160 centres in India

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "IGNOU" payable at the city from where it is requisitioned by post. Also available at IGNOU Regional Centres: Rs. 300/- (cash):

May 05 Karnataka University, Dharwad 580003 Ph.: 747121, Extn. 262 741884, 741882

Website: www.kimskud.org

MBA (2-yr FT) at 5 affiliated instts.

Elig: Bachelor’s degree (50% agg).

Appln F: Send Rs. 200/- by DD favouring "The Finance Officer, Karnataka University, Dharwad-580003 (from SBI/Syndicate Bank of Karnataka, Univ Campus Dharwad) along with stamped (Rs. 50/-) self-address envelope (30 x26 cm) before 30 April.

Jun 10 Birla Institute of Management Technology, Sector-IV, Pushpa Vihar, New Delhi 110017

Website: www.bimtechindia.org

PG Dip in Insurance & Risk Mgt (FT 1 yr, PT 11/2 yrs)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree or CA/ICWA/CFA/CS.

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "Birla Institute of Management Technology" payable at New Delhi. Also at counter Rs. 300/- (cash).

CARING (Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi

FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-130

Name the US businessman who recently became the first space tourist, courtesy Russian spaceship Soyuz TM 32.

— Tarun Sharma