Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) to Rationalize Syllabi and Textbooks in Alignment with NEP-2020
In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) has announced its decision to rationalize the syllabi and textbooks for secondary and senior secondary classes. The move aims to bring the curriculum in line with the guidelines outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes reducing the content load of textbooks and promoting experiential learning with a creative mindset.
The decision, taken by the BOSE, is based on the analogy of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi. The NCERT has already revised and rationalized the textbooks for classes 6 to 12 for the session 2023–2024 with the objective of reducing students’ workload. The BOSE’s decision follows suit and reflects its commitment to aligning with the NEP-2020 and fostering an enriched educational environment that nurtures creativity and experiential learning.
A notification issued by the director academics of JKBOSE stated, “This decision aligns with the steps taken by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi.” The notification further informed all concerned stakeholders that the rationalized syllabi and textbooks for Classes 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th will be implemented in all schools affiliated with JKBOSE from the academic session 2023-24. The rationalization process involves the removal of specific content deemed unnecessary, with the aim of providing students with a more focused and effective learning experience.
To ensure easy access to the revised syllabi with deleted content, the JKBOSE website will provide the necessary information in due course, according to the notification. By adopting a rationalization model similar to that of the NCERT, JKBOSE aims to streamline the curriculum and reduce the academic burden on students.
An official from JKBOSE highlighted that the process of syllabus rationalization by the NCERT began in December 2021 and concluded in June 2022. During this period, approximately 30 percent of the NCERT syllabi was removed with the assistance of a team of subject experts. JKBOSE plans to follow a similar pattern to reduce the workload and ensure a more comprehensive learning experience for students.
With the implementation of the rationalized syllabi and textbooks, students in Jammu and Kashmir can look forward to a curriculum that promotes creativity, experiential learning, and an overall holistic development. The move by the JKBOSE showcases their commitment to providing quality education in line with the NEP-2020 and creating an educational system that equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge for their future endeavors.
