06 February,2015 07:04 AM IST | | Shreya Bhandary
Students and teachers are still struggling with the upgraded syllabus introduced three years back and have requested State Board to change the subject to its original form
It's been three years since the Maharashtra State Education Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSEBSHSE) infused changes into the board examination pattern and also upgraded the syllabus.
Students and teachers with an official at the Mumbai divisional state board office. They asked that the Science subject be changed back to its older format of two papers, as it is difficult to study all the branches of the subject at the same time for one paper
But students as well as teachers are still struggling to keep up with the changes. On Tuesday, a group of students and teachers visited the Mumbai divisional state board office at Vashi to request officials to change the Science subject back to its original exam format for Stds IX and X.
"The changes were very sudden for most students and even though teachers are doing their best to overcome the hurdles, it is proving difficult for them as well," said Ashok Belsare from Shikshak Parishad, a social group fighting for the rights of teachers and students.
Close to 20 Std X students of various Navi Mumbai schools along with teachers and Shikshak Parishad members visited the board office. "The officials were extremely forthcoming and helpful to students and they patiently heard the problems put forth by teachers and students," added Belsare.
Following the introduction of the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) pattern by the state board three years ago, the upgraded syllabus for Stds IX and X was also introduced around the same time. Previously, students used to appear for two different Science papers 1 and 2, for 75 marks each (60 marks for theory).
This was changed to 100 marks of one paper for all branches of the subject (80 marks for theory). While students feel studying different branches of science at the same time for one paper is difficult, teachers argued how evaluation also becomes difficult.
"Studying physics, chemistry and biology at the same time and appearing for all these branches in one paper is difficult to cope with, especially during board exams," said Shaswat Mohile, a Std X student. Teachers too were unhappy about having to evaluate the subject with the syllabi of two papers at once.
"It was easier to evaluate 60 marks papers. Now suddenly we are forced to evaluate 80/100 marks papers. The board should consider our point," said a teacher. While the divisional board officials were open to the discussion, they made it very clear that no change can be incorporated this year.
"The syllabus has been taught and exams are less than a month away, no change can be incorporated now. But we have heard the problems of students and will forward their request to the Pune board office for their perusal," said Laxmikant Pande, chairman of the Mumbai divisional board.
