The Indian Central Board of Secondary Education will soon issue a book of guidelines for homework alternatives.
The book is needed because of the board's new no-homework rule for class one and class two that will be implemented from the 2004-2005 academic year.
Students' progress will be measured by continuous and comprehensive evaluation in these classes. Circulars have been issued from New Delhi to all CBSE-affiliated schools.
There are more than 20 CBSE-affiliated schools in the UAE. Speaking to Gulf News over the phone from New Delhi yesterday, G. Balasubramanium, academic director, the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), said it is important that a certain amount of uniformity is established across the affiliated schools.
"The book is ready and will most probably be issued to schools by next week. The book has been prepared by the CBSE and is illustrative in content.
"Prior to embarking on the project of no homework, the board had extensive discussions with primary school teachers. Guidelines have been formatted based on their feedback."
Schools are given the option of customising the guidelines depending on the geographical, local and economic conditions.
"The book will serve as a model. Not everything that is listed in the book will be suitable for those affiliated schools located outside India. Hence, these schools are given the option to change the model according to their requirements.
"The stress laid by CBSE is on continuous and comprehensive evaluation. In other words, emphasis will be laid on developing life skills in a child."
The idea of no homework at the primary level had been discussed for the last two years, Balasubramanium said.
Madhav Rao, chairman of the CBSE-affiliated schools in the Gulf and principal of Our Own English High School, Dubai, said the CBSE will not lose its effectiveness with the no-homework rule.
"Today, we need to look at education from a global perspective. Marks are irrelevant. What is more important is the refining of pupils' potential."
Gulf News
