There was a recent report that children can carry a lighter school bag.  It was decided by a committee of 12 members set up by the National Advisory Committee in the year 1992, on the implementation of the Yash Pal Report of 1993 on curriculum load.  The committee recommended that the school burden has to be reduced and also suggested reform in education. 

Yet, can children be happy about a lighter load?

More than the physical load of the school bag, educators are worried by the “load of the curriculum.”  The report says that “a lot is taught, but a little is learnt or understood.”  This is due to the heavy curriculum, a wide syllabus and text books packed with facts and using a high language.  Teachers are also forced to cover the syllabus, rather than help the child understand what is taught in a comprehensive manner. 

There are studies which prove that a child takes time for recognition to occur and the speed differs from child to child.  When children fail to comprehend the concepts that are presented too fast, topic after topic, they resort to rote memory.  This does not provide a joyful experience of learning.

Children study so much in a breathless pace.  There are also big words which do not have an explanation in the text.  Unless the teacher takes an effort to make the child understand, the child is left doubtful about the topic.  Teachers do not find time to explain things in detail.  All subjects are taught with tremendous speed that the lessons that should take at least two months to complete are done within two days!  If there are four experiments to bring a clear picture of the topic, only one is done hurriedly.  Children are immediately tested, marked and graded.  No one bothers about long lasting knowledge in the child.

What is important is concept formation and growth of capacity for theory-building rather than possession of vast amounts of information.  But understanding is often confused with acquisition of facts and information.  The report says that the neglect of understanding in education is great today.  A child can get a pass in any examination without having to understand a phenomenon but by simply by cramming facts.

So the need for minimum number of topics and concepts is stressed by the Yashpal Committee.  Activity based education that makes learning a joyful experience must be followed.  Time should be allotted for discussion, experimentation, questioning, finding solutions for class exercises and more.  Children must be allowed to stay longer with a topic for better understanding.

Article Posted By : Nisha Hassan  On July 19, 2012lView All Articles

Love nature, reading and travel. Writing is my passion.

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Keywords :
education , curriculum , school