Abstract:
The 21 National Focus Groups, also chaired by renowned scholar and practitioners, covered the following major areas
a) Areas of Curricular Concern:
Teaching of Sciences, Teaching Mathematics, Teaching of Indian Languages, Teaching of English, Teaching of Social Sciences, Learning and Habitat, Art, Dance, Theatre and Music
b) Areas for systemic reform:-
Aims of Education, Systemic Reform for Curricular Change,
Curriculum, Syllabus and Textbooks, Teacher education for
Curriculum Renewal, Examination reforms, early childhood education, Work and education, Educational
Technology, Heritage crafts, Health and physical education.
c) National Concerns:-
Problems of SC/ST children, Gender Issues III the curriculum, Education for groups with special needs, Each National Focus Group has had several consultations in which they have interacted with other scholars and classroom practitioners in different parts of the country. In addition to the above, NCERT has had consultations with (a) Rural Teachers, (b) Education
Secretaries and Directors of NCERTs, (c) principals of Delhi –based private schools and KVS Schools. Regional Seminars were also held at NCERTs Regional Institutes of Education in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhuvaneshwar, Mysore and Shillong. Advertisements were placed in 28 national and regional dailies to invite suggestions from parents and other concerned members of the public. More than 1500 responses were received.
