THE draft syllabus for the common school system prepared by the Directorate of Teacher Education Research and Training (DTERT) for Classes I to X lacks gender and culture sensitivity, said educational activists here on Friday.
P B Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary, State Platform for common school system (SPCSC), and other educationists told reporters that the draft syllabus was a compendium of `just facts' without any scope for creativity. It was compiled without any sensitivity towards culture or gender.
"For instance, a mother is identified as one who cooks," he said, adding the educational plan for youngsters should reflect the culture of the country. "The draft lacked logic and coherence besides misrepresentation of facts, especially in science and social sciences."
The syllabus in social sciences seems to be geography centred and overdose of any subject is unwelcome. The emancipation of women from the prejudicial, oppressive and exploitative past has not been highlighted. Sufficient information on independent India's development must be included. The opinion of SPCSC experts has been submitted to the DTERT, which published the draft curriculum for implementation under the Equitable Standardised Education (ESE) pattern also known as the common school system.
The new pattern is likely to be introduced in the State in a phased manner over a period of five years. However, the SPCSC members wanted the authorities to implement the common syllabus in three years as that coThe draft syllabus is a compendium of `just facts' without any scope for creativity. It was compiled without any sensitivity towards culture or gender -- P B PRINCE GAJENDRABABU uld help remove inequalities and usher in equal standards.
The matriculation board should be abolished and a new authority to control all schools should be set up through appropriate legislation.
The SPCSC will hold a seminar on the draft syllabus 2009 on November 5. A website will also be launched at the symposium and comments are welcome, the SPCSS officials said.