NCERT plans to sensitise children on gender, peace

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Maths is all about developing skills, not just getting answers. </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Being a single mother is normal. So is transsexuality, homosexuality and lesbianism.</span><br /><br />NEW DELHI: If the NCERT has its way, these insights could form part of the school curriculum.It is presently in the process of reviewing the National Curriculum Framework, a process done every five years. <br /><br />Besides covering regular topics such as English, Indian languages and mathematics, the NCERT has for the first time also included peace education, gender issues, heritage crafts, problems of SC/ST children and education for children with special needs. Twenty-one National Focus Groups comprising of eminent personalities are expected to submit their report and recommendations in March. <br /><br />One of the suggestions is regarding English. "It''s suicidal to force children to study in English. This gives rise to muteness syndrome — they become hesitant while conversing and stop interacting at times," says Dr Apoorvanand, member, Indian Languages Committee. <br /><br />"Sanskrit, Persian, Tamil and Latin should be taught as classical languages. Hindi and Urdu should appear complementary to each other. Special focus is also on the study of tribal languages. Language books will have language maps." <br /><br />And Maths, that feared subject, will get a makeover. "The boredom, burden and incomprehension of Maths can be beaten with a new methodology and curriculum so that it provides skills to handle life. We need to shift from content (algebra, arithmetic and geometry) to process. The emphasis will be on skills like appropriation, estimation, use of heuristic ways, visualisation and data analysis rather than learning theorems and reaching answers," says Prof R Ramanujam, Institute of Mathematical Science.<br /><br />Also, separate books for rural and urban children are being recommended. "Realities should be reflected in the books. What''s the point of having a chapter on an airport abroad in a book for rural children," asks Apoorvanand. Books today have a strong urban middle-class bias, says Deepta Bhog, member, Gender Issues Focus Group. <br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">"The effort is to have a de-centralised curriculum and the NCERT will help states have books according to their requirement." Plus, a stronger gender perspective may be brought in. "So far, women have been given token representation. We''re working for their quantitative representation in books," Deepta adds.<br /><br />There will also be focus on sexuality. "Transsexuality, homosexuality and lesbianism are normal — this perspective has to be brought in," says Apoorvanand. The curriculum will also help groom children to be tolerant and humane to prevent incidents like Godhra. <br /><br />"Higher education is individualistic. Students getting the best facilities don''t necessarily end up serving society in humanitarian ways. The first five years of primary education should be devoted to character and personality formation. <br /><br />"Teachers will be given certain broad parameters. The emphasis will be on conflict-resolution," says Rev Professor Valson Thampu, chairperson of Peace Education. "The aim is to bring a new awareness, to create a healthy, tolerant and dynamic society." </div> </div>