Latest news with #StateCouncilofEducationalResearchandTraining
The Hindu
a day ago
- Health
- The Hindu
What is Zumba and why has it been introduced in schools
Zumba, a fitness programme that blends lively music and dance moves, has been around for years but is now at the heart of a major row that again pits certain Muslim organisations against the State government. The government initiated the zumba programme in schools this academic year to promote students' physical and mental health and in step with its anti-drug campaign 'With children and youth' that sought to channelise students' interests and energy away from drugs into positive alternatives. This followed a meeting convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of representatives of student and youth organisations, teacher and parent organisations, experts from various fields, and Ministers at the State Assembly on March 30 to prepare an action plan to curb the increase in substance abuse and violence among students and youth. The Chief Minister had then suggested zumba as a way of relieving the many stresses that students faced and directed Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty to look into implementing it in the new academic year. Mr. Sivankutty had then said that some form of exercise would be organised in schools in the afternoons to invigorate students and improve their mental and physical well-being. He later announced a mega Zumba display by 1,000 students in the State capital on April 30 to create awareness against drug abuse and give more importance to physical activity in the school curriculum. The General Education department also provided training to teachers on organising zumba session from class VIII onwards. With the government laying more thrust on health and physical education in the curriculum, more time has been allotted for physical activity in the timetable. State Council of Educational Research and Training Director Jayaprakash R.K. said Zumba was also part of the revised school curriculum. It had been included in the new class VIII art education and physical education textbooks. Following criticism of the Zumba programme, the Kerala School Teachers' Association (KSTA) has questioned the claim that no discussion had gone into it. It pointed out that those flaying the decision should have taken part in the meeting called by the Chief Minister earlier or given their opinions in writing. The Kerala Pradesh School Teachers' Association said organising Zumba sessions was inadequate to keep children from turning to substance abuse. More meaningful and effective strategies had to be implemented, particularly when synthetic drugs were increasingly available. Controversy apart, Zumba remains a popular fitness activity. Its appeal lies in the rhythmic music and the group fitness model that pushes one to do more, says Rashmi Kishore, an instructor. Rashmi says it is an exercise in disguise, something one does without being conscious of it, especially if one does not like working out alone. A chunk of her clientele is middle-aged for whom regular and consistent physical activity is a mantra for good health. It is also a good stress-buster, especially for those working in high-pressure jobs, says Rashmi.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Children should become frontline fighters against drug abuse, says CM
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the addiction to drugs was a deadly scourge that destroys wisdom, friendship, and knowledge. He was speaking after inaugurating the State-level anti-drug campaign implemented by the Department of General Education at Cotton Hill Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. The action plan to be implemented against drug abuse in all schools in the State was launched on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Children should become the frontline fighters against drug abuse, he said. The State government has put in place many measures against drug abuse that students are unaware of. The action plan has been formulated taking note of this and to address this lacuna. Teachers are responsible for creating awareness and exploring the possibilities of dissuading the students from drug addiction. For this purpose, special training programs are also being provided to teachers, said the Chief Minister. Parents should also play a major role in ensuring that their children do not fall into the trap of addiction. They should spend more time with their children and interact with them in a healthy way along with monitoring their changes. Since not all parents may be equally capable of this, special training will be provided for parents to empower them, said the Chief Minister. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has prepared a special book to help maintain a healthy lifestyle for children. A Prahari Club has been formed to monitor drug-related activities. Further, the Jagratha Brigade, comprising 30 to 50 students from selected schools, is coordinating anti-drug activities. Community discussions against drugs will also be organised. Complaints received through this platform will be addressed once a week under the leadership of the head teachers. The General Education department has designed this year's action plan beginning on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit ending on January 30, 2026. The Chief Minister also requested teachers, parents, and the general public to participate in this action plan along with students to bring about a change
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
SCERT's academic master plan for schools envisages planning at multiple levels
The academic master plan prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to attain the goal of quality education in schools lays stress on planning at multiple levels to ensure academic growth and development of each student. The plan envisages the school-level master plan as a framework that includes the school's vision, academic objectives, resource utilisation, and activities. To implement the above though, class, subject-level, and individual master plans need to be prepared. The class master plan should go into the education requirements of students in each class and the objectives of each subject and this should inform the classroom activities that teachers need to plan. At an individual level The individual master plan is slightly more complex for it requires teachers to understand each student's talents, interests, and difficulties to ensure they get the academic support and motivation to enable them to do well. Projects implemented by the General Education department at the State level, districts' own projects, and schools' own projects should be included in school master plans. Learning values In order to enhance the effectiveness of academic activities, it should be ensured that students achieve the learning outcomes and competencies for that particular grade. Along with this, children should be provided with experiences that help them learn values such as secularism, democracy, and humaneness. It should be ensured that children, through various activities, develop the knowledge and ability to take a position on social ills such as drugs or substance abuse and are aware of the importance of good physical and mental health; personal hygiene and clean surroundings; road safety; gender equality and health gender relationships; and environmental consciousness and waste management. Equal opportunities The master plan emphasises equal opportunities for students to study and grow and identify their talents and develop them. Besides academic support, the plan calls for making sure that students make progress in core subjects. A system should be developed so that besides the mother tongue, students also hone their skills and fluency in English and Hindi. Modern technology should be utilised for learning, including for differently abled students. The General Education department had given directions for preparation of class master plans and individual master plans earlier too, but these were not implemented effectively. The focus on quality improvement this year has seen a renewed thrust on master plan preparation and implementation.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Foundation Literacy and Numeracy baseline test in all govt schools
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has directed all District Educational Officers to conduct a baseline test for implementation of Foundation Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) for classes 1 to 5 and Learning Improvement Programme (LIP) for classes 6 to 9. The test will be conducted from June 25 to 30 and the results are to be uploaded on the Telangana School Education app by July 15. According to SCERT, the baseline test and findings assess learning gaps and improve subject-specific learning outcomes among students in all government schools.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra: SCERT issues revised timetable to introduce third language in primary schools
Mumbai: A day after the Maharashtra government issued a revised government resolution (GR) making a third language compulsory in state-run schools, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) on Thursday released a new daily academic timetable. The revised schedule adjusts teaching hours across subjects to accommodate the third language from Class 1 onwards. As per the circular, the changes are aimed at aligning the total annual instructional hours with the National Curriculum Framework's (NCF's) requirement of 990 academic hours. However, to allot teaching hours for the third language, the SCERT has reduced teaching time for subjects like art education, physical training, and work experience, now renamed as 'work education'. As per the NCF, the third language is also supposed to be taught only from Class 5. The revised timetable has drawn criticism from educationists and school principals, who said that the changes could compromise students' overall learning experience, especially in areas meant to foster creativity and physical development. According to the revised plan, the number of teaching hours for core subjects like the first and second languages and mathematics remains largely in line with NCF recommendations, which are in accordance with the National Education Policy 2020. However, art education, which the NCF suggests should be taught for 144 hours annually, has now been allotted just 81.67 hours under the new SCERT schedule. The SCERT has also, for the first time, provided a sample timetable to help schools plan their academic day. While the sample timetable itself is not mandatory, the subject-wise allocation of teaching hours must be followed. Unlike the NCF's recommendation of 45- to 50-minute periods, the Maharashtra government has opted for shorter 35-minute sessions. However, two consecutive periods may be combined to provide extended time for certain subjects. The SCERT circular clarified that the revised daily schedule, as per the GR dated June 17, will apply to state board schools of all language mediums for class 1 this academic year and then class 2 from next year. Mahendra Ganpule, former spokesperson of the State Principals Association, questioned the logic behind introducing a third language from Class 1. 'Without any clear rationale, the government has introduced a third language from the very beginning of schooling. And now, they've issued a timetable that cuts into the time meant for other important subjects. The NCF doesn't even mandate instructional hours for the third language at the foundational level. Then why is the government insisting on pushing it?' he said. The state's June 17 GR had earlier drawn flak for making Hindi the default third language unless at least 20 students in a class opt for an alternative. Education experts and opposition leaders said it was in effect a backdoor entry of the state's earlier proposal to make Hindi a compulsory language in state board schools.
