Kerala to adopt ‘possible’ proposals in National Curriculum Framework

Thiruvananthapuram: The ‘possible’ reforms proposed in the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), including changes in examinations, are likely to be implemented in Kerala schools. According to sources in the educational department, many of the changes proposed by the union education ministry, including the exam changes, were already being considered as part of the state school curriculum reform. 

The Kerala school curriculum framework has proposed to conduct multiple examinations and make the process of continuous assessment more scientific in nature. Decisions have also been made to hold comprehensive academic talks in this regard. Further, proposals such as the semester and credit-based grading system were already included in the state’s framework.

Nevertheless, a final decision will be taken only after considering the special circumstances of the state. Meanwhile, there are practical difficulties in implementing the ‘flexible curriculum’ in higher secondary schools.

As per NCF, there should be no hard separations between Arts and Sciences, between curricular and extracurricular activities, and between vocational and academic streams. This will allow students who opted for one stream to study subjects outside of the selected ones. 

However, as the curriculum in the state’s higher education sector is purely based on the stream system, an instant change is not feasible. Furthermore, teachers have been appointed in accordance with the selected streams. Hence, a complete change in the curriculum could adversely affect students and teachers alike. 

The state government is likely to reform the curriculum in line with the Centre’s framework after considering the educational scenario of the state.