NEW DELHI: Class X students may no longer have to memorise Maths or Science tables and formulae.
A five-member panel, which drafted the new national policy on education, has recommended that tables be provided in the question paper. The suggestion is aimed at putting a stop on rote learning, but academicians have sounded caution.
The panel said the availability of tables and formulae will help students focus on higher order thinking skills of application and analysis.
However, former CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly said examination boards should be careful about what kind of Maths formulae should be put in question papers.
“Mathematics is all about practicing, and at no point of time should it be seen as discouraging students from doing so,” he said.
“The changes suggested to the type of questions, if implemented, will also help reduce student and parent stress and anxiety significantly,” the panel said.
Officials in the Ministry of Human Resource Development said that the suggestion may not be acceptable to all the education boards as it would invite criticism from those holding traditional views on teaching.
Former UGC member M M Ansari said is an “impracticable” advice and that a voluminous question paper with tables and formulae would raise fear among students.
“There is no uniformity in the way education is imparted in the country. It varies from board to board. Hence, it may not be feasible to provide tables in the question paper,” the former UGC member said.
Senior professor of Delhi University Aditya Mishra said examiners should be careful while setting question papers. “The idea is not new, as a table chart is provided in question papers at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels, but its implementation at the secondary level should be made with caution,” he said.