Lok Sabha Question No. 303 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-08
Subject: Common Curriculum
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: KRISHNAN NARAYANASAMY RAMACHANDRAN, VINOD CHAVDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.303

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2016

## Common Curriculum

- *303. SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN: SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (a)  whether the Government is aware that State Education Boards and other agencies/Institutions have different curriculum at school level, if so, the rationale thereof; (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  a  common  curriculum  in  Central  Board  of Secondary Education, the State Boards, the National Institute of Open Schooling and the Indian School Certificate Examinations Board and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c)  whether  the  Government  have  received  suggestions  from  various  quarters  to  close  the  State Education Boards at primary, secondary and higher secondary levels and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the follow-up action taken thereon?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 303 ASKED BY SHRI K.N. RAMACHANDRAN AND SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA REGARDING 'COMMON CURRICULUM' FOR ANSWER ON 08.08.2016.

(a) The  National  Policy  on  Education  (NPE),  1986  recommends  that  the  national  system  of education will be based on a National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which contains a common core along with other components which are flexible. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) sets  the  guidelines  and  direction  for the  development  of  syllabi and  textbooks  at  all  the  school stages. As a follow up to the NCF, model curriculum, syllabi, text-books and other supplementary material are developed by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) and State Education Boards either adopt or adapt NCERT's model syllabi and textbooks or develop their own syllabi and textbooks based on NCF, so as to suit the State-specific needs, and to cater to the diversity in the country across States in culture, language and topography.

(b) No,  Madam.    Multiplicity  of  curricula  and  educational  resources  are  desirable  as  the uniform syllabus across nation does not take into account the local contexts, culture and language. However, the National Policy on education proposed a national framework of curriculum with a common  core  of  values  that  includes  history  of  India's  freedom  movement,  the  constitutional obligations and other content essential to nurture a national identity. These elements are designed to promote values such as India's common cultural heritage, egalitarianism, democracy, secularism, gender equality, protection of environment, removal of social barriers, promotion of small family norms and inculcation of scientific temper.

(c) No, Madam.

(d) Does not arise.

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