Education Minister Thokchom Radheshyam on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the State Level Curriculum & Syllabus Committee on the agenda--revised academic syllabus for classes one to nine for the year 2020 -2021 organised by Textbook Unit, SCERT, Manipur at SCERT Lamphelpat, Imphal.
During the meeting, the minister expressed that the state is in a crucial juncture particularly in the field of education. The meeting decided on the necessary course of action to be implemented which will impact the future of the young minds.
Stating that the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 has created a huge gap in formal education with limited time and substantial syllabuses yet to be covered, the minister said, "We all must remind ourselves that education plays an important role in shaping the society".
Radheshyam also appealed to all the experts and academicians to provide feasible ideas and the best solution for developing the draft revised syllabus and curriculum to help in bridging the gap. He also expressed that the online and e-materials cannot be a substitute of the teacher though it can be used as a supplementary tool in imparting education.
The minister said that the suggestion and opinions from the experts and intellectuals will be guiding force. The present situation is like a blessing in disguise giving a chance to prepare the young minds for future and make them relevant.
Radheshyam pointed out that the biggest challenge is absenteeism of teachers’ and students along with shortage of teachers. When the decision to resume classes is taken up, it will be of utmost importance that the teachers’ attend the schools with renewed vigor. He said that the physical learning process is more beneficial as the teachers are an institution in themselves. He said that the students imbibe the conduct, ideology and discipline from the teacher. He said that the teachers must motivate and encourage the students to attend classes.
He said that the children are already stressed with the gap in education because of the present scenario. However the children will have more pressure after the schools reopens with the cancellation of summer vacations and holidays on Sundays. He added that at these trying times the role of teacher will be very crucial and it is therefore of utmost importance that the teachers are motivated and encourage to help them cope with the issues.
The revised academic syllabus for classes one to nine for the year 2020 -2021 is based on the learning outcome, selection of important topics keeping in view of its relevance in higher classes, merging similar topics in one chapter, selection of one topic from amongst the similar lessons/topics found in a subject among others.
The meeting held at State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Lamphelpat was attended by the commissioner, SCERT M Harekrishna, Commissioner Education (S) T Ranjit Singh, director education (S) Th Kirankumar, director SCERT, M Meenakumari Devi, academicians and officials concerned of the committee and department
