Image: DIPR, Manipur

Manipur education minister Dr Thokchom Radheshyam on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the State Level Curriculum & Syllabus Committee.

The meeting was conducted on the agenda – Revised Academic Syllabus for classes 1 to 9 for the year 2020 -2021 organized by Textbook Unit, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Manipur at SCERT Lamphelpat in Imphal, according to a DIPR report.

The meeting was attended by the commissioner, SCERT M Harekrishna, commissioner Education (S) T Ranjit Singh, director Education (S) Th Kirankumar, director SCERT Dr M Meenakumari Devi, academicians and officials concerned of the committee and department.

Former commissioner R K Nimai also present during the meeting.

The Revised Academic Syllabus for classes 1 to 9 for the year 2020 -2021 is based on the learning outcome, selection of important topics keeping in view of its relevance in higher classes, merging similar topics in one chapter, selection of one topic from amongst the similar lessons/topics found in a subject among others, the report said.

During the meeting the minister expressed that the State is in a crucial juncture particularly in the field of education.

The meeting will decide on the necessary course of action to be implemented which will impact the future of the young minds.

Stating that the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 has created a huge gap in formal education with limited time and substantial syllabuses yet to be covered, Radheshyam said we all must remind ourselves that education plays an important role in shaping the society.

Expressing that the online and e-materials cannot be a substitute of the teacher though it can be used as a supplementary tool in imparting education, he also appealed to all the experts and academicians to provide feasible ideas and the best solution for developing the draft revised syllabus and curriculum to help in bridging the gap.

The minister said the suggestion and opinions from the experts and intellectuals will be guiding force adding that the present situation is like a blessing in disguise giving a chance to prepare the young minds for future and make them relevant.