HRD Minister invites suggestions on reducing syllabus; teaching hours

NEW DELHI: The Central Government has invited suggestions from teachers, academics and educationists on reducing syllabus for the academic year 2020-21 due to coronavirus pandemic. The government is also contemplating reducing the number of teaching hours.

Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD), Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has said that it has received a lot of requests from parents and teachers to reduce the syllabus. HRD Minister tweeted: “In view of the current circumstances and after receiving a lot of requests from parents and teachers, we are contemplating the option of reduction in the syllabus and instructional hours for the coming academic year.

In view of the current circumstances and after receiving a lot of requests from parents and teachers, we are contemplating the option of reduction in the syllabus and instructional hours for the coming academic year. @SanjayDhotreMP @HRDMinistry @PIB_India @MIB_India

— Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) June 9, 2020

Earlier last month during his webinar with parents, Pohkriyal hinted that the school syllabus for the upcoming academic session will be reduced in view of the coronavirus crisis. The minister said that the decision has been taken considering the pressure on students and the loss of important academic time due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown.

Some of the states also requested centre to reduce the syllabus and teaching hours, Delhi government during a meeting with MHRD suggested that the entire syllabus should be reduced by at least 30 per cent.

“I would like to appeal to all teachers, academicians, and educationists to share their points of view on this matter using #SyllabusForStudents2020 on MHRD's or my Twitter and Facebook page so that we can take them into consideration while making a decision,” Pokhriyal tweeted.

HRD Minister during a recent interview also said that the academic session of schools would begin after August 15.