Southern States
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Karnataka
State not to adopt education framework
By Our Special Correspondent
BANGALORE, DEC. 5. Karnataka has called for evolving a consensus on the ``New National Framework for School Education'' prepared by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and its discussion at a conference of education ministers of the States before the States are asked to introduce the framework in their schools.
The State has also politely declined to adopt the curriculum framework in schools. The inability of the Government and its reservations over the curriculum framework have been conveyed in a letter from the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, to the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi.
Mr. Krishna has pointed out that Karnataka has adopted a system of preparing textbooks for schools. These textbooks are being used in the schools affiliated to the Government. However, there is a large network of schools affiliated to the CBSE or the ISCE where the NCERT prescribed curriculum and textbooks are being used. But even ``in those schools, controversial items and issues which are prejudicial should not be taught,'' Mr. Krishna has said.
Referring to a letter from Dr. Joshi dated September 4, in which he referred to the specific variations in the newly formulated national curriculum framework, the Chief Minister has said that the school curriculum was revised in the State in 1999-2000, keeping in view the existing 10 core elements and 84 core values as enunciated in the National Policy on Education, 1986. The textbooks for classes one to five have been prepared and introduced in the State-affiliated schools. The textbooks for sixth and eighth standards have been prepared, and they will be introduced in 2002-2003. However, the curriculum already introduced in schools has nothing to do with the new curriculum issued by the NCERT.
Mr. Krishna has pointed out that the new curriculum guidelines were discussed with the States when they were in the draft form. The NCERT took upon itself the entire job of formulating the curriculum. Even a cursory glance at the curriculum would reveal that it was evolved amidst unprecedented secrecy. The textbooks are based on it. It is difficult for the States to introduce them in the schools affiliated to the government unless the curriculum and textbooks are prepared in a transparent manner, after consultation and after evolving a consensus. He was told that the sensitive issue was neither discussed at the State Education ministers' conference nor at other fora. It has only been discussed in and outside Parliament, Mr. Krishna has said in the letter.
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