Is it time to revise the syllabus of the secondary and higher secondary schools in Goa? The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education follows the syllabus of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), that is also followed across the country. This syllabus was introduced in 2006 and is still being taught by schools in Goa and in schools in most States, with Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh introducing it in their schools this year. The Goa Board is not convinced that the syllabus needs to be revised, but this opinion is not shared by educationists, and not even by politicians.
The issue of upgrading the standard of education in Goan schools first came up a couple of weeks ago in the State Legislative Assembly, when MLAs cutting across party lines sought that the Goa Board syllabus be upgraded so that the school education system produces students who are capable of competing with their counterparts in other States in entrance exams. The MLAs felt that the current system, while producing good students, is not preparing them to enter into prestigious institutes of higher learning, where the competition is high.
The general feeling among the MLAs in the Assembly was that compared to CBSE and ICSE, the Goa Board syllabus is of a low standard and hence students find it difficult to compete with it at professional level, with one MLA pointing out that the poor quality of education was forcing parents to send their children to CBSE schools. The assumption is that while Goan students get high percentages at the Goa Board exam, they fall short in the competitive entrance exams.
The Headmaster’s Association too shares a similar opinion, with the association president asserting the need to change the syllabus that is currently being followed in the State. The association feels that it is not just at the national competitive exams where Goan students fail to meet the standards, after emerging with high percentages at the SSC and HSSC exams, but that there are other drawbacks in the syllabus that need to be ironed out. As the Headmaster’s Association president pointed out, the NCERT syllabus focuses on literacy rather than excellence and Goa being a highly literate State it should be concentrating on excellence rather than literacy.
The world has become very competitive and excellence in education is indeed what the State should be aiming at, and that can happen if the NCERT syllabus that Goa Board follows is reviewed on a regular basis so as to keep it at par with the CBSE syllabus that is reviewed periodically. The CBSE syllabus concentrates on imparting education in a more scientific manner and with a broader perspective. If Goan students are unable to fare well at the national level, it is not that they are not up to the mark, it is that the education system is failing them.
A couple of months ago the Tamil Nadu government decided to revise the syllabus for the schools that are affiliated to the State board, following criticism that the board’s syllabus is below par and does not equip its students to meet the challenges of national competitive examinations. This same criticism is now being leveled at the Goa Board, and the State has to rise to the occasion to ensure that the standard of education in Goan schools is at par with the CBSE, ICSE schools.
Students today have to sit for the NEET, AICTE and other national-level entrance exams. Many, after their Class XII exams, seek admission in other States where they have to be at par with students from across the country. The State must prepare them for this stage of their education by updating and upgrading the syllabus at regular intervals.
