India does not have doctrinal problems with science, unlike Western and Middle Eastern societies. There is no scripture, word of God, scripture, etc., that must provide a literal defense to new discoveries. It is understandable why religious conservatives in the United States challenge modern biology and the evolutionary science on which it is based. Because it goes directly against their faith clause. Darwin is less of a fundamental threat to religious conservatives of the Indian faith. Earth and human origin stories are not of great interest. In fact, there are many different versions of the origin story, none of which are central to the practice of faith, none of which are important to the conduct of daily life, and none of which is an obstacle to the pursuit of knowledge.
India does not have doctrinal problems with science, unlike Western and Middle Eastern societies. There is no scripture, word of God, scripture, etc., that must provide a literal defense to new discoveries. It is understandable why religious conservatives in the United States challenge modern biology and the evolutionary science on which it is based. Because it goes directly against their faith clause. Darwin is less of a fundamental threat to religious conservatives of the Indian faith. Earth and human origin stories are not of great interest. In fact, there are many different versions of the origin story, none of which are central to the practice of faith, none of which are important to the conduct of daily life, and none of which is an obstacle to the pursuit of knowledge.
This is why the National Council for Education, Research and Training (NCERT) has removed the theory of evolution from its Class X science textbooks. However, given that genetics and evolution are part of the Class XII curriculum, Darwin was not entirely removed from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. Still, given that only a fraction of her CBSE students take biology in class XII, the majority of CBSE students will leave school without being taught the most important principles of science. . Understanding natural selection is important for everyone, not just students of biology. Learn how to deal with pandemics, manage health, improve agricultural productivity, and care for the environment. As genomics and synthetic biology are expected to be growth engines for the Indian economy, enabling future generations to seize upstream and downstream career opportunities should be a national priority.
This is why the National Council for Education, Research and Training (NCERT) has removed the theory of evolution from its Class X science textbooks. However, given that genetics and evolution are part of the Class XII curriculum, Darwin was not entirely removed from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. Still, given that only a fraction of her CBSE students take biology in class XII, the majority of CBSE students will leave school without being taught the most important principles of science. . Understanding natural selection is important for everyone, not just students of biology. Learn how to deal with pandemics, manage health, improve agricultural productivity, and care for the environment. As genomics and synthetic biology are expected to be growth engines for the Indian economy, enabling future generations to seize upstream and downstream career opportunities should be a national priority.
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Political and ideological factors are involved in determining social science curricula, but the rationalization of science and mathematics textbooks seems to be the exercise of poor judgment. Many of the changes are said to be motivated by nationalistic aims. But I do not understand how the abolition of the periodic table in chemistry or the Pythagorean theorem in mathematics would promote Indian nationalism. In fact, incomplete education in science and mathematics undermines the foundations of a young and ambitious society and undermines national interests.
To be fair, there is some justification for the need to streamline curricula in the post-pandemic world. Students and schools are making up for years lost in the pandemic. But all NCERT had to do was declare a portion of the syllabus untestable for the next three years. There was no need to change entire textbooks, which is costly and controversial.
The current debate is a good time to ask why natural selection, the periodic table, or atomic structure is taught up to class X. One of my daughters asked me after entering class XI. Why are we told that what we have learned in high school for years is now obsolete? no need to go through You can start by giving them an update and then explain how they got to where they are today. You don’t have to waste four years of secondary school teaching history of science. The sooner we introduce our children to the latest science, the better for society.
A common objection to science is that it is a “Western” thing. Even people with degrees in science-related fields sometimes make claims like this. This is partly because science is taught as a “subject” such as history or English. , not as a way to get good knowledge, but for what it is. Although most of the great discoveries in science were made in the West in recent centuries, philosophy and the practice of science were a big part of Indian culture. If India’s weight in international science and technology is disproportionate compared to other developing countries, it is partly because India stands on a deeper scientific and intellectual foundation. be. Moreover, even if the science is somehow Western, it is in India’s national interest to accept it and use it to our advantage.
The good news is that CBSE isn’t the only show in town. There are also national and state commissions. There is nothing stopping each state from fortifying its board with strong science and mathematics. In doing so, bias toward CBSE schools can be curbed. On the other hand, the dilution of the CBSE curriculum is likely to further increase the demand for the burgeoning coaching class industry. Families will eventually have to spend more of their income on fees. Those who cannot afford it will be most affected.
It is a misconception that high school science is for students who want to study science for higher education. On the contrary, it’s for everyone, especially those who are about to graduate once they’ve graduated from class X. Therefore, our curriculum must give future citizens the knowledge they need to live healthy and successful lives.
Tailpiece: “Colonial pedagogy survived beyond colonial rule, and in an independent India the curriculum remains textbook bound. [The system of education]…we have not escaped from the colonial policy of prescribing textbooks and exams. – Krishna Kumar (1988)
Nitin Pai is co-founder and director of the Takshasila Institute, an independent center for public policy research and education.
