The school education department seems to be least bothered to clear ambiguity over introduction of a sixth subject in the compulsory curriculum of 9th and 10th standard students.
The laxity of the government has created confusion among school heads and JK Board of school education (BOSE) whether to implement the previous order or not.
In 2017, the government accorded sanction to the extension of teaching of regional language – Kashmiri, Dogri and Bodhi – to classes 9th and 10th in all government and private recognised schools of J&K as compulsory 6th subject (Graded), in areas where such languages are spoken as mother tongue.
As per the order, the regional languages were supposed to be included in the 2018-19 academic session for class 9th and for class 10th from the next academic session 2019-20.
However, the government later decided to put the order on hold as move was going in violation of National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005. “As per NCF 2005, MHRD has adopted five-subject scheme throughout country and state government can’t go against the uniform scheme,” an official said.
In view of this, the government had decided to amend its order and continue with 5-subject scheme in schools. “But no formal order was issued in this regard which led to confusion and among school heads and students as well,” the official said.
Greater Kashmir earlier reported about the issues wherein the school heads sought directions from the government. But so far the government has remained indecisive over the issue.
An official in JKBOSE said the ambiguity needs to be cleared by administrative department. “Our job is only framing curriculum and syllabi,” he said.
However, a top official in education department said the issue was not yet taken up for deliberation. “The incumbent secretary has joined the department recently and the introduction of 6th subject (language) was not discussed so far,” the official said.
Commissioner secretary school education department, Sarita Chauhan was not available for her comments. “She won’t be able to speak on the topic as she has recently joined the department. She has no knowledge about this issue,” an official in personal section of secretary informed.