On 24th February, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar announced, that the NCERT school syllabus will reduce by 50% in the 2019 academic session. This news will be a relief for school children, minimising the pressure of too much course.

Javadekar said that children should get time for other activities that contribute to their overall development. The Union minister said the school syllabus was more than that of B.Com and BA courses. He also added that students need full freedom for the development of their cognitive skills. NCERT will cut down the syllabus which will be in practise from the academic session 2019.

Providing inputs of other reforms in school education - Javadekar added that examinations and detentions would be introduced. A bill on education reforms will be presented in the parliament in the next budget session. Javadekar said that without exams, there is no goal or competition. He further added that there should be an element of competition for better outcomes.

The minister suggested that students will get two chances to clear exams - first in March followed by May. However, if the candidate fails to pass the May’s exams - they will be detained. The HRD minister highlighted his concerns over the poor quality of teachers, which he said was resulting in poor learning outcomes.

Javadekar informed that 20 lakh teachers were to be given training trained in 2015 under the Right to Education Act but only five lakh of them were trained. He added that he was hopeful for better results as over 14 lakh teachers are enrolled in a skill improving course. The New Education Policy will be submitted for approvals soon - concluded Javadekar.