Question : SCIENCE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN



(a) whether the Government has recently announced a set of initiatives to enthuse school children for science; and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)

(a) & (b): National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) have taken up many initiatives to enthuse school children for study of science.

The textbooks of Science for classes VI to XII are being developed by NCERT based on the National Curriculum Framework 2005, so as to envisage learning Science concepts through investigative activities. NCERT has also undertaken various programmes for popularization of science in schools viz. i) Organization of Science Exhibition, ii) Reading to learn programme, iii) Science Olympiads and iv) Environmental Science Programme.

The CBSE has given greater thrust and emphasis on acquision of practical skills to promote the interest of students in Science.

In addition, various programmes are undertaken by the above mentioned and other organizations for popularization of science in schools viz. organization of Science Exhibition at regional and national level, orientation programme for science teachers to enhance professional competency, theme projects to create scientific temper at national and regional level, science based activities like science quiz competition, science debate and science seminar, development of text books and self- instructional material with projects and activities appropriate for the level, and Audio-video support for learning material.