Maharashtra government incorporates changes in schools

Maharashtra government is looking at ways to make learning more valuable and innovative for classes VII and IX students in the state-run schools. In a new initiative the state government is incorporating changes in textbooks in a gradual manner.

New textbooks, advanced teaching methodologies and conceptual learning are on their agenda. Changes in textbooks were made for class VI this year and for the classes VII and IX it will be made in the next academic year, that is 2017-2018.

"I wouldn't call it as a syllabus change but yes the textbooks are changing. The syllabus will be the same but the manner of teaching will change. We are moving away from rote learning to conceptual learning and overall, our textbooks should also reflect the same. Hence it will be based on practical, experiential learning," Nand Kumar, principal secretary, school education department, Maharashtra was quoted saying.

The newly elected members of the academic board will be instrumental in bringing the changes, it is learnt. The government is also aiming to train teachers of classes VII and IX on various teaching methodologies at once these textbook changes are made in all the schools.

"For two consecutive years, we have been able to conduct virtual training successfully. It helps in saving time of the teachers and also virtual classrooms cut down organising travel too. The idea of changing the textbooks is solely to ensure that students gain conceptual knowledge of the subjects, which will help them advance to the next level," Nand Kumar added.