Combating coronavirus: How trimming down syllabus could help Indian school students

Dubai - Reducing the syllabus for a few classes may help.

As the education sector copes with the impact of the pandemic, Indian schools in the UAE believe that trimming down the CBSE syllabus could be "the way forward".
Discussions of the syllabus came after the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) - an autonomous organisation that advises the government of India on qualitative improvement in education - released an alternative calendar for classes 1-8. This was meant to engage students as they stay at home during the closures imposed to fight Covid-19.
Following this news, many have suggested that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) may also adopt an alternative calendar for higher classes to suit the current situation.
Khaleej Times reached out to several CBSE-affiliated schools in the UAE and they said that under the circumstances, reducing the syllabus for a few classes may help.
Zubair Ahmad, head of HR and administration at Springdales School Dubai, said "nothing has been officially communicated by the board but, as countries across the globe are fighting the Covid-19 situation, making amendments in the syllabus to adapt to pupils' need may seem like an obvious choice to all".
School heads in the UAE also stated that they have been asked to ensure that they continue with the learning and follow the sequential chapters of the syllabus at present - "hinting at reduction of chapters from the second term".
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO and principal of Credence High School in Al Khail, said: "CBSE officials have already shared that a plan to reduce the current syllabus for this year was already in works. They are in touch with all stakeholders across India and overseas and assessing the situation."
She added: "It is quite expected and should be welcomed by all."
Reflecting on adaptability and balance, digitalisation and partnerships with all participants, Sangita Chima, principal of Amity School Dubai, said: "It will be a thoughtful decision - that'll impact the 'disruptive learning trajectory' of thousands of students who appear for the Grade 10 and 12 CBSE Examination in 2021.
Muhammad Ali K, principal of Gulf Indian High School Dubai, hoped that such future decisions will bring relief to the pressure felt by senior students.
nandini@khaleejtimes.com