Optional course in media studies to be introduced this academic year
Optional course in media studies to be introduced this academic year
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CBSE students wanting to pursue a career in media have reason to rejoice, as they will now be able to get a basic grounding in the field just before their college years.
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is all set to roll out a textbook in media studies for Std XI students of CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) from the coming academic session.
"The textbooks will be printed in 20 days," said Dr Anubhuti Yadav, faculty, NCERT, and coordinator of text books in New Delhi.
She added that CBSE was working on the courseware at present.
Better opportunities
"The aim is to make children understand the media, to make them aware of opportunities in the area," said Yadav.
Monish Moryani, who will begin his Std X from the coming academic session, said it broadened opportunities for students.
"I'd like to take up media as a subject so that I can get an idea of what it is about. Then may be I would like to take it up as a career," said Moryani.
The approach to teaching the topic will be hands-on.
"Students should be actively involved in the production process. Earlier, we got to see a camera only at the post-graduate level," said Yadav. "They should be actively producing things so that they get a first-hand experience."
Dr Keval Kumar, chief advisor to the committee involved with the introduction of the course, said the course was the need of the hour.
"It's high time we began teaching about media in schools," said Kumar.
Schools unaware
Schools in the city did not seem to be aware of the development.
K P Mishra, principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya School, near GPO said students today were keen to join media, but there had been no communication on introduction of the course in school.
"So far we have no news from our regional office in Mumbai," said Mishra.
Vinita Punekar, principal of Army Public School, said as of now there was no such move.
"At present there is no such idea. We have to take permission a year in advance from CBSE," said Punekar.
Pilot project
Yadav clarified the confusion by saying the introduction of the course at this stage was more of a project to see if it would work.
"Some CBSE schools in Delhi have already introduced this subject. It is being introduced as a pilot project in schools in June to check the demand with students and even parents," said Yadav. "We have to motivate them so that their voices are heard in the mainstream media."
Mishra and Punekar also raised the issue of arranging for faculty.
"Take the example of computers. At the school level we don't get people to teach computers as they are more interested in joining companies," said Mishra.
Punekar, too, said it was tough to get teachers for vocational subjects.
"If we do get permission, then we have to arrange for teachers, which is difficult," said Punekar.
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