Soon, Class IX-X students could get lessons on Right to Information Act

From Expressindia 

Mumbai The new syllabus of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has proposed introducing Right To Information (RTI) and Right To Education (RTE) in Class IX and X.

The Board recently uploaded the new syllabus for classes IX-XII on its website and has invited opinion, suggestions and criticism from parents, academicians and other stakeholders by November 25. After receiving feedback, the Board will await the nod of the state government before implementing it.

According to the proposed syllabus for classes IX and X, civics will be called political science. This is not the only change — the subject will have detailed concepts based on the Indian political scenario and political parties, and chapters on fundamental rights and duties listed in the Constitution. Students of classes IX and X will also study laws such as the RTI, RTE and consumer rights.

Information and communication technology (ICT) will be introduced as a compulsory subject of 50 marks. This will include chapters on working of old and new ICT tools such as radio, TV, computer and cellphones besides lessons on day-to-day usage of Internet, instant messaging, world wide web, e-commerce, e-governance etc.

Board officials are, however, sure that the new syllabus will get a thumbs-up from parents and academicians. “We think parents, students and educationists will like the new syllabus. But we are also looking forward to suggestions from them to make it even better,” said Ujwala Patil, chairperson of MSBSHSE.

On the lines of central boards such as CBSE and ICSE, the new syllabus proposed by the state Board also offers a large number of vocational courses under work experience subject.

“In order to excel, it is very important to upgrade the curriculum and syllabus time to time. Incorporating chapters on RTI, RTE and other Acts is a good move and would be beneficial for the students. However, changing the name of civics to political science does not mean major concept of civics be removed, they are still very relevant. I still have to go through the entire syllabus though,” said Basanti Roy, former secretary of the Board’s Mumbai division.