New scheme aims to increase parents’ role in kids’ education

Mumbai: With a view to bringing in accountability and parents’ participation in the academics of their children, the Maharashtra State Education and Research Training (MSERT), in collaboration with NCERT, has introduced ‘Learning Outcomes’ for parents of students from Class 1 to 8. As part of this endeavour, parents of children enrolled in state board schools will be given a booklet containing a class-wise and subject-wise syllabus guide for all subjects so that they can keep tabs on learning outcomes of their children.

An official at the deputy director of education, Mumbai division, said, “NCERT provided us booklets of ‘Learning Outcomes’ which the MSERT modified as per our state standards and gave to all divisions in the state (Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, etc.).” The booklets, released on the department’s website, will serve as detailed explanation of the pedagogy process for both teachers and parents. They are available in English, Marathi, Hindi and Urdu so that most parents can read them properly. The subjects covered mainly include English, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Environmental Studies (EVS), where entire pages are dedicated to different academic approaches and their desired learning outcomes.

“Learning Outcomes” for class 4 EVS reads: “Whether students observe and explore immediate surroundings i.e. home, school and their neighbourhood for different objects/flowers/plants/animals/birds for simple physical features like diversity, appearance, movement, places of living etc.”

The official said state board schools would soon distribute the booklets to parents of students. Both parents and teachers are happy with this new concept that will probably begin in full swing by the next academic year in Mumbai schools.