Bhubaneswar: Delay in rationalisation of Odisha school syllabus for the new academic session that has been hit by COVID pandemic this year, has raised serious questions in the minds of educationists. The delay, notwithstanding the declaration of course curriculum by national education boards, has also triggered skepticism among students.
While CBSE has shortened the school syllabus by 30 percent this year, ICSE has reduced 25 percent of the course curriculum much ahead of the reopening of schools. It may be noted that the Central government has ordered the closure of schools and other educational institutions in the country till August 31.
But educationists have expressed disappointment over the fact that despite urgency shown by the national education boards, the Board of Secondary Education in Odisha is yet to outline the syllabus.
Though courses are being covered through platforms like Diksha, Sikhya Sanjog & WhatsApp groups launched by the government, the education department is yet to give any clear message on the consolidation of the syllabus.
On July 22, School and Mass Education Minister said the government is planning to reduce more than 30 percent syllabus if it is needed and an expert committee would decide on that only after the schools reopen. He had also informed that SCERT would reduce the syllabus for classes 1 to 10 while CHSE will rationalise the curriculum for classes 11 and 12.
“If the government announces the syllabus soon, it will help us a lot as we will devote more time to prepare for our exams especially when our schools are closed. Or else it will be a grave loss for us,” said Kritish, a student.
Prakash Mohanty, general secretary of Odisha Secondary School Teacher Association (OSSTA), said, “If the students continue their studies through online mode and later the board shortens the curriculum by removing some parts which have already covered, it will be a big loss.”
Educationist Pritish Acharya also said that the process of rationalisation of the school syllabus should not be delayed.
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