Academicians, parents seek clarity on truncated syllabus

Welcoming the decision to reduce the syllabus, Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Association, the largest organisation representing government teachers, said the authorities should immediately publish the new syllabus so that the teachers could prepare well.

“It should be informed to all schools soon after reopening. Students should also know about the reduction in their curriculum,” said PK Ilamaran, president of the association. The government may send only the deleted portions of subjects through index wise, he suggested.

“Parents should also be informed about the details about reduction in syllabus so that it would be easy for us to keep track of our children’s studies,” said K Radhika, a homemaker whose children are studying in Class 10 and 12 at a private school in Pammal.

Another parent, Anantha Krishnan from Tambaram, added: “If we know about the reduction before the school reopening, it would help us. In addition, the government should also instruct the schools to give a copy of the list of the portions that are removed.”

The expert committee that was formed a couple of months ago to look into the loss of academic days due to the lockdown was asked to submit its report within 10 days on truncating syllabus. Later, it was extended by few more weeks. “Since then, there has been no official word on whether or not the panel submitted its report,” said PB Prince Gajendra Babu, secretary, State Platform for Common School System – Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN).

Pointing out that five months of the new academic year have already been lost due to the pandemic, he said the government should immediately clarify what all portions would not be considered for board examinations. “It is high time the government informed teachers and students about this,” he added.