Focus on developing thinking skills

HYDERABAD: In a bid to develop school children as 'rational citizens', the State Council of Educational Research and Training has come out with a draft curriculum framework.Based on feedback received from the public, the state level advisory committee comprising academicians and other experts will approve the final curriculum to make necessary changes in text books, examination reforms, academic standards from class I to X by December-end.Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy released the draft state curricular framework- 2011 on Friday. Finalisation of text books based on feedback received from academicians, parents and other sections of the society would bring in positive changes in education, Kiran Reddy observed.Primary education minister S Sailajanath said the exercise to bring changes in school education system would improve thinking skills among the children.The draft state curriculum framework and position papers have been developed in curricular areas, systemic reforms and state concerns.The documents have been put up on the website www.apscert.org to receive comments and suggestions from parents, teachers and public before November 20.The steering committee will meet in December to discuss public comments and suggestions and finalise the curriculum framework and position papers. The state curriculum comprising 18 position papers, syllabus from class I to X and academic standards would then be placed before the state-level committee for approval. SCERT director B Seshu Kumari, head of the department Prof N Upender Reddy, coordinator S Vinayak were also present.