NCERT makes learning easier

New Delhi:A year from now, six-year-olds will not cram multiplication tables.

The National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) has prepared a new school syllabus, which looks at simpler teaching methods.

The new curriculum will adopt teaching methods in which the child learns with the help of pictograms and models.

In what is thought to be a big relief for students, maths and science have been simplified and it will be taught using simple reasoning, making it much more comprehensible.

A monitoring committee ? appointed by the Human Resources Development Ministry and co-chaired by Professor Mrinal Miri and Professor G P Deshpande ? has also given the nod for the new syllabi, which will be released in three phases.

The textbooks for classes I, III, VI, VIII, IX and XI will be out by April 2006.

In the second phase, in April 2007, textbooks for classes II, IV, VII, X and XII will be released.

In the third phase, in April 2008, texts for classes V and VIII will be out.

In primary mathematics, the emphasis is on conceptual grasp with a greater stress on hands-on learning.

In history and geography, the focus in primary level will be on activities and projects.

Children will be also be relieved of carrying a ?major burden? as school bags would weigh lighter now, courtesy fewer textbooks.

Moreover, social sciences will have more regional focus now.

(With inputs from agencies)