EMBRACING THE FUTURE
Kerala has embarked on unique projects, such as the Public Education Rejuvenation Mission and the Vidya Kiranam Project, over the past 7 years. These initiatives have been widely acknowledged for their remarkable success. Significant progress has been made in improving school infrastructure, equipping classrooms to adapt to future changes. Textbooks have been distributed well in advance of school reopening, and efforts have been made to ensure cleanliness and safety through democratic participation.
Curriculum Reform Process
The process of Curriculum reform is underway, driven by the vision of creating a knowledge society and fostering the setting up of a “Navakeralam”. “After many years, we are undertaking a comprehensive revision of the curriculum, starting from the pre-primary level up to the higher secondary section. Our goal is to provide revised textbooks for at least some classes by the next academic year. The process of curriculum reform in Kerala has been initiated in a democratic manner, actively involving the public through classroom discussions and utilizing technology to gather opinions. For the first time in the history of education in India, over 25 lakh students have actively participated in the curriculum reform process in the state. In recent years, educational thinkers have embraced the notion that students should possess a certain degree of influence in the planning of educational activities that directly concern them. Throughout various educational processes, such as methods, approaches, examinations, and co-curricular activities, students have voiced their suggestions.
This is widely regarded as a genuine testament to the democratic nature of the curriculum development process. The government has announced its commitment to provide a curriculum framework and subsequent textbooks that uphold the fundamental principles laid out in the Constitution. This approach aims to preserve the unique history, culture, and constitutional values of our nation. While children are the focal point of educational endeavours, it is imperative to have well-equipped teachers to guide them. In the current scenario, teachers who fail to update themselves are being phased out of the school system. The department has successfully conducted vacation training programmes to equip our teachers for the upcoming academic year. Notably, a 6-day residential training programme was organized for newly appointed teachers, marking a historic milestone in Kerala’s education landscape. Additionally, as part of the government’s 100-day programme, Induction Training Programmes for newly appointed Lower Primary School teachers have been scheduled and the first batch of training has already been completed, highlighting Kerala’s commitment to ensuring that every teacher receives the necessary training, contrary to the national policy of putting the onus on teachers to get academically updated. This endeavour also exemplifies the government’s determination to enhance public education.
Furthermore, special training programmes have been implemented for teachers in special schools after several years. This is just one facet of the numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting differentlyabled children. The impact of COVID on the education sector has been significant. While we have managed to mitigate some of the learning loss by providing classes through online platforms, we have not been able to fully recover from its impacts. As a result, this year the education department is placing a strong emphasis on ensuring the foundational skills of children at the Lower Primary (LP) level in the current academic year. The teacher Empowerment Programmes and subsequent Comprehensive Education Programmes for their foolproof implementation have already been set in motion. Continuous evaluation and departmental monitoring will be integral to this plan. The Brahmapuram garbage dump and fire incident was a shameful episode for a progressing state like ours. It raises doubts as to whether the educated society in Kerala has truly realized that waste generated by each individual is their own responsibility. Therefore, starting this year, a comprehensive programme will be implemented to instill a culture of hygiene as part of personality development, beginning in schools.
Through a popular campaign called “Suchithwa Vidyalaya Harita Vidyalaya,” we can achieve our goal. Science and Technology have brought tremendous transformation to children and society. In today’s ever-changing society, knowledge is acquired through exchanging information from various sources, supported by technology and new discoveries. Traditional classrooms alone are impractical in a society where data, analysis, and research constantly evolve. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Chat-GPT, Google Bard, etc., offer boundless potential, opening endless possibilities for children. Teachers, classrooms, and schools that incorporate these tools thrive,while others may naturally fade away. Technology should be embraced as a valuable aid to teaching methods, without dictating our path. There is an attempt to encroach upon the education sector, which is constitutionally entrusted to the states for policy formulation and implementation. While we strive to shape history, politics, and culture through constructive debates, we must take proactive steps towards curriculum reform. With a strong belief in education as a social process, we are deeply committed to public education, which nurtures a diverse and unified education system.