Students' body unveils new syllabus in Asom

Guwahati, June 1 (UNI) For the first time in the country, an all-powerful students' body of Asom today unveiled a new syllabus for the secondary and higher secondary levels in the state.

Prepared by the All Assam Students' Union(AASU) and Unnati Sabha in consultation with various teachers' and educational organisations of the state, the new syllabus for science subjects from class VIII - XII would be handed over to the government and respective education boards tomorrow.

Addressing a press meet here after the formal release of the syllabus, chief coordinator of the committee, which was created to form the syllabus, Basanta Deka said, ''It is a landmark step in the field of education in the state.'' Elaborating on the changes the new syllabus sought to bring about, Prof Deka said, ''We have included practical examinations in general science and mathematics right from class VIII, which will be conducted by the school authorities and grades will be awarded instead of marks for the first three years.'' Prof Deka also informed that the higher secondary mathematics would be based on the general mathematics syllabus of class X and not on the advanced mathematics syllabus to make it easier for students who did not opt for advanced mathematics in high school to pursue it in higher secondary.'' However, he added, that with the revision of the syllabus, the teachers associated with the process of syllabus preparation were divided in opinion over the necessity of continuing with the advanced mathematics subject in high school.

On the major loopholes in the current syllabi prepared by the Board of Secondary Education, Assam(SEBA) and Assam Higher Secondary Education Council(AHSEC), Prof Deka said, ''Both the boards prepare their syllabus separately, undermining the fact that class X and XI studies are related.'' AASU advisor Sammujal Kumar Bhattacharyya informed that the AASU would shortly start the process of preparing new syllabus for arts and commerce streams also.

Prioritizing AASU's focus on the education aspects of the state, he said, ''We had already prepared the academic calendar and the state government had made it effective from January 1 this year. Of course, it is not being followed properly and we reiterate our demand for its implementation in letter and spirit.'' He pointed out that it was for the first time in any state in the country that a students' organization had prepared academic calendar and syllabus.

He said the AASU would pressurize the government to put the necessary infrastructure in place for the proper implementation of the new syllabus.

UNI