Science-based curriculum a must for progress in education

Next year, the government will introduce a new curriculum in some classes of primary and secondary level. There is a lot of discussion and criticism about the changes in the curriculum and student evaluation system in the new curriculum. I feel compelled to write on this subject at the request of my one-time colleagues Sheikh Azizul Haque, Zahurul Islam, and Bangladesh Bank official Mithun Das—implementing a new curriculum to introduce creative learning instead of a rote learning system. The curriculum also aims to eliminate fear and create a joyful atmosphere in the classroom. The new curriculum emphasizes practical knowledge during learning and continuous assessment in class rather than written annual examinations.

In the new curriculum, nursery, and play classes will have no books, and classroom teachers will teach them directly. Classes I, II, and III shall have three books but no annual examination. Students will read eight books in classes IV and V and ten subjects from class VI to class X. In classes IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII, Bengali, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science will be assessed for 60 percent. The remaining 40 percent will be assessed through the annual examination as before. Except for those four subjects, the rest will not have yearly examinations. There will be continuous assessments in class every day. In the new curriculum, students of classes IX and X will follow the same syllabus, i.e., no science, humanities, or commerce departments will exist. This division will be in class XI and class XII. In class XI, students can study in any science, commerce, or humanities department.

In the current system, the fear of studying and testing is created upon arrival at school, which is inappropriate. Therefore, dropping the annual examination to class III will not destroy the children's interest in attending school. However, even if the yearly examination is omitted, the students will be assessed in class consistently throughout the year. It is also suitable to de-emphasize the annual examination in the later courses instead of memorizing it once at the end of the year. It will increase the quality of education if the assessments are conducted consistently throughout the year. Our students are stunted in thinking because there is no scope for new creation in rote learning, so we have no innovation no discovery. Fifteen years ago, when I went to London, I saw examples of assignment-based learning.

My grandson, Azmaine Zarif Nirjhar, was a seventh grader, and his assignment was "Why Jerusalem is the Holy Land of Jews, Christians, and Muslims." His textbook did not cover this topic, and he had to find online information and create answers. After submitting the assignment, Nijhar had to present it to the class like the teacher, and the rest of the students and the class teacher questioned the assignment he delivered. Nirjhar is a doctor from Cambridge University, London. In our country, thesis writing is required for a Ph.D. Otherwise, no student needs to write a 10-page thesis-like analysis on a new topic. The new curriculum requires all students to write and present regular assignments in class. What else is in the new curriculum, with some parents taking to the streets to prevent its implementation?

Parents are worried about the declining importance of annual exams because they think the students will remain ignorant of the new curriculum and not learn anything. They see that after passing HSC, students must memorize many MCQ questions to gain admission to university or get a job. Preparation for BCS starts with university admission, which is all learned. So, parents are worried. Apart from this, there are other problems. In the new curriculum, as the teachers have more marks, students' dependence on their teachers will increase. Private tuition will surge to avoid harassment by dishonest teachers. I was not only a teacher but also involved in the management of several schools.

Some teachers stand like statues on the stage and finish their lessons by reading from books. Some teachers have minimal knowledge and get angry if you ask questions. Some teachers give low marks if students don't read privately to them. Students fear many teachers for their authoritarian behavior, and some teachers even enjoy it. I don't know if there is any provision in the new curriculum to prevent teachers' autocratic behavior. Parents have reason to worry about the bizarre videos they see on social media. Seeing students entering the school with mosquito nets, bed sheets, pillows, and crockeries from home to cook is a sight to behold. However, the most popular "Tiling Tilling Cycling" video is said to be from the Indian state of Assam; Duck calls, frog jumps, etc., are part of the training of the "Cub Scout Unit Leader Basic Course." The video of the student-teacher dancing to the song is said to be the rehearsal scene of a teacher's farewell ceremony.

A case has also been filed against such propaganda that religion is associated with the new curriculum. According to the education minister's statement, new videos are being made and spread on social media about what the teachers have not been taught in the new curriculum, which is not part of the new curriculum, not part of the class. He also pointed out that during the training breaks, the acts the trainee teachers put on for their entertainment have been circulated on social media as part of the new curriculum. Although better and more practical, most people prefer to hold on to the old one. Even if the world changes, they don't change. The one thing, the previous one, was better. The prerequisite of child education is that the teacher should mix with the students equally. The new curriculum has struck a chord with the image of the arrogant teacher.

We can't think of anything other than spewing some bullies memorized like parrots into the exam book. Coaching centers and guidebook publishers who have wooed parents in their interests are added. Some coaching center owners who have been arrested have also confessed to their misdeeds. Many complain that the ground is not ready to implement the new curriculum. There will be no change in education if there is a plan to prepare the ground. Building a swimming pool in every school to teach swimming or training all teachers to adapt to the new curriculum is not trivial. Many teachers have already been and are being trained on the new curriculum. There are some problems at the beginning of anything. If we don't start with the excuse of the issues, our motion will be circular, like a spinning top.

The new curriculum will be phased in so that if there is a shortage at the field level, it will gradually fill up. Classes I, II, VI, and VII in 2023; III, IV, VIII, and IX in 2024; Classes V and X will be added to the new curriculum in 2025. Class XI is in 2026, and class XII is in 2027. This curriculum has been formulated in light of the advanced education system of different countries with the involvement of 800 experts. If a science-based education curriculum does not match other nations' educational systems and technology, our progress will be stunned at some point.

Author: Former Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank and Former MD, Mint