NCERT wants to upgrade website to virtual academy

The NCERT has decided to upgrade its website into a virtual academy,with facilties to take online practice tests,as well as increase the use of Information and Communication Technology...

The NCERT has decided to upgrade its website into a virtual academy,with facilties to take online practice tests,as well as increase the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for training teachers and imparting education in far flung areas. In recommendations which will be sent to the Ministry of Human Resource Development,the NCERT has said that it also wants to include changes in the mathematics and science curriculum for Class IX and reduce the higher secondary school syllabus by as much as 15 per cent in a bid to reduce pressure on teachers from the increasing number of students.

These recommendations form part of a report prepared by NCERTs education experts at the two-day National Conference on Assessment and Improvement of Science and Mathematics Education which concluded here on Wednesday. The conference was organised by the Department of Education in Science and Mathematics (DESM).

V P Srivastava of DESM explained the reasoning behind the enhanced website: The idea is that those who are out of school system,including adults,can login and learn from the interactive content on the site. Similarly,the enrolled students can take tests online and get instant evaluation. Currently,the website only provides sample questions. The virtual academy,inspired by the web-based interaction system used by IITs,will be an addition to the existing ICT infrastructure which includes the satellite education (EduSat) programme.

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In his inaugural speech,NCERT director Krishna Kumar called for a change in the system of education. Our evaluation system is the biggest terror for our children, he explained,adding that there was a need to change the mindset to make science and mathematics a fundamental part of education from the primary level.

The discussions on curriculum development also involved learner-oriented training and recognition of the challenges faced by differently-abled students. The next curriculum revision should also take into account the large number of children with special needs attending regular schools said Hukum Singh,head of department at DESM.

The delegates,drawn from the state councils,also recommended relaxation of the syllabus through introduction of practical-based teaching in mathematics,and using multiple modes of assessment. They also recommended use of simulation experiments as a supplement to teaching in the higher classes and allowing upper primary students to use laboratories,generally meant for teaching senior students.

The conference also recommended changes in the current teacher training programmes,including the B.Ed courses. One of the NCERT committees,chaired by M S Yadav,cited the lack of laboratory training for teachers as a major hurdle for quality science education. Untrained or poorly trained teachers are the biggest stumbling block to the spread of education. Developing training methods through use of ICT and emphasis on practical training will create better teachers, said a delegate.