Indian teachers more optimistic than peers about school science curriculum: Study

Globally, only 46% agreed that the current science curriculum in schools prepares young people to address the future challenges.

representational image (source: Shutterstock)representational image (source: Shutterstock)

Team Careers360 | July 14, 2021 | 03:27 PM IST

NEW DELHI: A report published by the Oxford University Press (OUP) has found that Indian teachers are more optimistic about the science curriculum taught in schools compared to teachers of other countries.

The report found that 80 percent of respondents agree that the science curriculum taught in schools enables students to become scientifically literate and active citizens, as opposed to 59 percent in the United Kingdom and 67 per cent in Hong Kong.

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The OUP report was published as part of its work on the PISA 2025 science framework with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The PISA framework is an assessment model determined to assess learning outcomes to improve performance of students.

According to the report, 15 percent of Indian teachers “strongly agreed” that the curriculum adequately prepares students for challenges they will face in the world, as opposed to six percent in Hong Kong and five percent in the United Kingdom.

However, the OUP report surveyed just 398 teachers from 22 countries.

Science teaching in schools: Global

Globally, the report found that 66 percent of teachers believed that current science education allows learners to become scientifically literate and active citizens. However, only 46% agreed that the current science curriculum in schools prepares young people to address the future challenges.

Only a minority of teachers (31%) report that science education in its current state is fit for the future, the report said.

Also read| Centre ‘ignores’ suggestions: Kerala SCERT has concerns over curriculum framework

Teachers recommended that the science curriculum should focus on instilling practical skills through experimentation. They said that the existing curriculum should be reviewed and updated “to establish a greater connection between science and what is happening in the world outside”.

Teachers said that current teaching can be too theoretical and that the curriculum should be reduced to allow for more depth of learning.

At present, teachers said that the assessment is too knowledge focused, and respondents want exams to place more focus on assessing application, the report stated..

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