Kerala Minister calls for flexible secondary curriculum

Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty has stressed the need for a shift to a curriculum that is flexible and constantly renews itself, particularly at the secondary level.

The Minister was speaking after inaugurating a UNICEF regional conference to discuss the importance and future of secondary education here on Friday.

He pointed out that behind the State’s progress were its advances in education and culture. The Public Education Rejuvenation Mission implemented by the State government was a case in point, with investments to the tune of ₹5,000 crore for infrastructure development. As many as 973 new school buildings and more than 55,000 high-tech classrooms have been constructed.

He said strides have been made on the academic front as well, citing the results of the Union government’s PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan as an example. The state is also placing importance on effectively utilizing AI training and IT clubs for students.

Emphasis will be placed on nurturing a generation that could uphold constitutional values such as secularism, democracy, socialism, equality, and environmental consciousness, he said.

Curriculum revision was in the last phase. Textbooks for Classes I to X had been revised, while that for Classes XI and XII was under way.

Secondary education merited special attention as it pertained to the period of adolescence in the life of a student. Rapidly changing technology and the world order influenced these children the most. An approach to curriculum that perhaps involved yearly revision instead of once every five years was desirable, the Minister said.

Dheeraj Sahu, Additional Secretary, Union Education Ministry; K. Vasuki, Secretary, General Education, Kerala; and N.S.K. Umesh, Director of General Education, were present.