New chapters worry teachers
According to teachers, this massive change has made the entire syllabus lengthy in terms of both teaching and learning.
Mumbai: In the new syllabus of Secondary School Certificate or Class 10 of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHE), a large number of lessons and chapters, including poems and grammar, have been added to the language subjects. Twenty-two new chapters have been added to the language subjects. Moreover, for English medium students, the Hindi and Marathi syllabi contain grammar that is originally meant for Hindi and Marathi medium students.
Teachers are of the view that most of these lessons are new for students and hence, time-consuming especially when there is very little time left for the prelims.
The new syllabus has an additional seven lessons in science and 22 lessons in English and Marathi and Hindi, the latter being second languages in English medium schools.
According to teachers, this massive change has made the entire syllabus lengthy in terms of both teaching and learning.
As per the paper pattern given to schools and students this year, there are a few optional questions too. In the English paper, there will be two sets of question options, which students will have to answer from one unseen passage, instead of the two earlier.
The prelims of Class 10 students will begin from January next year, which is two months before the final board exams which are scheduled to begin from March 1.
The mock exams play an important role as they are a first attempt for students. However, students are facing difficulties as several chapters have been added which are complicated.
A senior official of the MSBSHSE told The Asian Age, “Making inclusions in language subjects will benefit the students in future. It is technically a minor change, but if done properly by the schools, students could get it easily.”