7th June 2023, Mumbai: In response to the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in India has decided to remove complete chapters from the class 10th textbook. The chapters that have been dropped include “Periodic Classification of Elements,” “Democracy and Diversity,” “Political Parties,” and “Challenges to Democracy.” This move is aimed at reducing the content load on students and providing them with a more manageable curriculum during these unprecedented times.
The decision by NCERT to omit these chapters is part of their efforts to ease the academic burden on students. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional classroom learning, leading to changes in the educational landscape. With the transition to online classes and remote learning, there is a need to adapt and streamline the curriculum to ensure students can effectively engage with the material.
The chapter on “Periodic Classification of Elements” is a fundamental topic in the field of science, specifically chemistry. It explores the arrangement and properties of elements in the periodic table. However, due to the limited time and resources available for teaching and learning, NCERT has made the difficult choice to exclude this chapter temporarily.
Similarly, the chapters on “Democracy and Diversity,” “Political Parties,” and “Challenges to Democracy” are significant components of the social science curriculum. They delve into essential concepts related to governance, politics, and the democratic process. While these topics hold great importance, the decision to remove them temporarily is a pragmatic response to the current circumstances, ensuring that students can focus on core subjects during the pandemic.
It is worth noting that NCERT’s decision to drop these chapters does not undermine the significance of the subjects or their long-term importance. The aim is to provide students with a revised curriculum that aligns with the constraints of the current situation, allowing them to grasp essential knowledge and skills without feeling overwhelmed.
The exclusion of these chapters from the class 10th textbook is a temporary measure, reflecting the extraordinary circumstances the education system is facing. NCERT, along with educators and policymakers, continues to work towards finding the best ways to support students’ learning journeys during the pandemic. The focus remains on ensuring that students receive a comprehensive education while considering their overall well-being and adapting to the evolving educational landscape.
As the situation evolves and normalcy returns, it is expected that these chapters will be reintroduced into the curriculum. The ultimate goal is to equip students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for future academic and personal pursuits while addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Article by PRITESH PATEL