Students are overburdened; no need to teach them everything, says HRD Minister Javadekar

The government decided to reduce NCERT syllabus as students were overburdened and did not find time for other activities, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday.

"There is a huge load of books and information, and students have no time. There is no time for physical education, value education and life skills. So, we decided to half the portion (syllabus). There is no need to teach them everything. Students should learn principles and rest of the knowledge they can gain later," Javadekar said.

The minister was addressing an event marking the 10th foundation day of the Foundation for Restoration of National Values (FRNV) in the national capital.

Javadekar said that the ministry had received 37,000 suggestions from parents, teachers and educationists regarding the government's decision to ease the burden of books.

The decision to half the NCERT syllabus was announced by the Union HRD Minister on June 2. While making the announcement, Javadekar said the NCERT syllabus was so "cramped" that the government had decided to reduce it by half. 

The minister said values cannot be inculcated among children unless they are provided to them at home. He suggested training for parents in this regard.

Javadekar praised FRNV's initiative to integrate value education in the school system in India and assured that the HRD Ministry will work with it as a "partner".

A non-profit organisation, FRNV chaired by 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan was founded in 2008. On the occasion, Sreedharan said value education was not being taught at state-run schools and asked the government to take steps for this.

"Value education is the primary step needed by the country. Emphasis on it in government schools is not sufficient. If government schools start it , other schools will also be encouraged to do so," he said.

A journal based on value-based education was released at the event organised at the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's headquarters Metro Bhawan.