HRD ministry to add a year to primary schooling
MUMBAI: The Union education ministry has decided to include Class V in primary schools and stretch elementary schooling till Class VIII instead of closing at Class VII. Social studies will now be introduced in Class VI, as will science and environmental sciences. "School subjects have evolved through their own complicated histories. However, educationists the world over believe that learning in the first five years of schooling should be integrated, without subject-specific compartmentalization. Teaching children to study concepts at even younger ages in an attempt to prepare them to compete in the world is counterproductive," said a note from the HRD ministry. Education ministers have been asked to shift from a seven year (4+3) to an eight year (5+3) elementary education cycle by the next academic year. "It is important to provide age-relevant curricula and learning systems to our children," said education ministry officials. Several states keep the entry age for a...