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  • NCERT Assesses Foundational Learning of Class IV Students in Himachal

    NCERT Assesses Foundational Learning of Class IV Students in Himachal

     

    Shimla: In a significant step towards strengthening the quality of school education, the foundational learning levels of Class IV students in Himachal Pradesh have been scientifically assessed. The study was conducted by National Council of Educational Research and Training on April 24 and 25 under the Foundational Learning Study (FLS-2026).

    Carried out under the aegis of Samagra Shiksha, the study covered 204 selected government, aided, and private schools across the state on a sample basis. The initiative aims to evaluate the actual learning status of children in early grades.

    The primary objective of the FLS was to assess Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) competencies developed by students by the end of Class III. In Himachal Pradesh, the assessment focused on students currently studying in Class IV who have completed Class III. A maximum of 12 students from each selected school participated in the study.

    The evaluation included a detailed assessment of basic literacy and numeracy skills. Language components covered oral expression, listening comprehension, phonemic awareness, reading of letters, words and unfamiliar text, reading comprehension, oral reading fluency, and writing skills. Mathematics assessment included number recognition, understanding numerical differences, basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), word problems, measurement, fractions, patterns, and data interpretation.

    Transparent, Tech-Based Process Adopted

    The study in Himachal Pradesh was coordinated by State Council of Educational Research and Training Himachal Pradesh. To ensure transparency, timeliness, and efficiency, the assessment was conducted through a tablet-based platform. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were strictly followed at all levels to maintain data quality and reliability.

    Observers appointed by NCERT monitored the process by visiting various schools. Observer Meenakshi Rai, along with the NIPUN FLN Coordinator and State Assessment Coordinator, reviewed the assessment process at schools in Lalpani and Totu areas of Shimla to ensure compliance with prescribed norms.

    Findings to Guide Policy Decisions

    The data collected through the study will be analysed by the Vidya Samiksha Kendra under Samagra Shiksha. The findings will support evidence-based policy decisions in the education sector and help identify areas where students require additional support and guidance.

    Samagra Shiksha Director Rajesh Sharma stated that the study has been conducted on a sample basis in selected schools across the state. He added that if any learning gaps are identified, necessary and effective measures will be taken to address them and ensure strong foundational education for children.

  • NCERT Granted Deemed-to-be University Status Under Distinct Category

    NCERT Granted Deemed-to-be University Status Under Distinct Category

     

    New Delhi, March 30:

    In a significant move aimed at strengthening teacher education and academic research in India, the Ministry of Education has declared the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an Institution deemed to be University under a distinct category.

    The notification, issued by the Department of Higher Education, states that the decision was taken under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, based on the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and its expert committee. The declaration follows the successful compliance of conditions outlined in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued to NCERT in August 2023.

    Under this new status, NCERT, headquartered in New Delhi, along with its six constituent institutions—including Regional Institutes of Education in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, Shillong, and the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education in Bhopal—will function as a higher education institution with expanded academic and research autonomy.

    Key Conditions and Provisions

    The government has laid down several conditions to ensure quality and transparency:

    NCERT will not engage in any commercial or profit-making activities.

    Academic programs must adhere strictly to UGC norms and standards.

    New courses and off-campus centres can only be started as per UGC guidelines.

    The institution must focus on research, doctoral, and innovative academic programs.

    Mandatory accreditation by bodies like NAAC and NBA is required.

    Admission processes and intake capacity must follow statutory regulations.

    NCERT must participate in national rankings under the NIRF framework.

    Additionally, NCERT has been directed to establish an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and ensure students’ academic credits are digitally recorded and integrated with national platforms.

    Focus on Research and Innovation

    The move is expected to boost research in emerging areas of education and enhance the quality of teacher training programs across the country. The Ministry emphasized alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to create a more flexible, multidisciplinary, and research-driven higher education ecosystem.

    Administrative Directions

    Copies of the notification have been forwarded to key bodies including the Ministry of Education, UGC, AICTE, NCERT, and other relevant authorities for implementation and further action.

    Officials stated that this decision marks a major step toward elevating NCERT’s role from a curriculum and advisory body to a full-fledged academic and research institution, potentially reshaping the future of school education and teacher training in India.

  • NCERT removes periodic table’s from Class X syllabi

    NCERT removes periodic table’s from Class X syllabi

    The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in the name of lowering burden on Class X students, has now removed topics on periodic classification of elements and sources of energy and sustainable management of natural resources from the science textbook.

     

    Science is a mandatory subject till Class X. It has been learnt that the NCERT has deleted an entire chapter. The deletion of these topics, claims the government, is part of the NCERT’s rationalisation policy to cut burden on students.

     

    The NCERT said the National Education Policy-2020 had also emphasised on reducing the content load and providing opportunities for experiential learning with a creative mindset. The council has also deleted chapters on democracy and diversity, popular struggles and movements, political parties and challenges to democracy from Class X social science book. The chapter “Democracy and Diversity” contained important topics like 1968 Olympics Black Power salute and discrimination faced by members of the SC community in India.

     

    Among reasons cited for these deletions include overlapping with similar content included in other subject areas in the same class, similar content included in the lower or higher class in the same subject, content can be learned by children through self-learning or peer-learning, and content irrelevant in the present context.