English And Maths May Become Optional For Maharashtra's Class X Students

Academic rigour does not seem to be a virtue with state education minister Vinod Tawde, whose latest move to better the system is to encourage the weak to quit the game when the going gets tough.

In all likelihood, Maths and English may shortly be taken off the Class X list of compulsory subjects in state government schools, a move experts fear can otherwise spell disaster for students' futures.

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Tawde cited reasons like high percentage of failures in these subjects, evidenced by data collected over the last five years, and the subsequent depression that students sink into, leading them to take extreme steps like committing or attempting suicide.

Maths and English — expertise in which holds the key to survival in a highly competitive world — may also be replaced by subjects like fine arts or dance from the next academic year.

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Said Tawde, "We have done a statewide survey on failure in the Class X exams. I have got the last five years' data of all schools. The survey reveals that maximum number of failures are in Maths and English. Sometimes, failure in these subjects lead students to take their lives. It's a serious issue. We are considering a policy decision on whether these subjects can be made optional for Class X students."

The government will now invite experts' views before coming to a final conclusion. "It is in an initial stage. We will form an education experts committee for opinions on whether it will be feasible or not. We have also told them to come up with alternate optional subjects in place of English and Maths. We want to make an easier exam system for low-performing students," Tawde added.

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Predictably, the government's proposal has divided education experts.

While several feel the government is on the right path, others are of the opinion that doing away with these basic subjects would harm students in the long run.

City International School principal, Vinita Khaladkar, said, "This decision will not be helpful to students. Maths and English are the base of any education; without these subjects you cannot learn any skill-based courses. The government should come up with special training for Maths and English teachers to improve teaching methods."

Terming English an "aspirational language", education counsellor Devika Nadig said, "Maths and English should be compulsory at least till Class VIII. After that, students can choose any other subject."

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The state Secondary School Certificate (SSC) backed the minister, as board president Gangadhar Mhamane said, "It is true that a large number of students failed in Maths and English in the recent past. We have sent the data to the education ministry. However, only the education minister can take a final call on the compulsory or optional subjects."

Some of the principals came up with different ideas. New English School principal, Tillottama Reddy, said, "The government should go for an easier exam paper. If Maths is taken as an optional subject, it will definitely be helpful for many students." DES NMV School principal Kalpana Wagh echoed, "English is a universal language and it should be a compulsory subject. Maths can be replaced by other skill development subjects. It will help reduce the percentage of failures."

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Voicing his support, education expert Heramb Kulkarni, who is the member of state committee for out-of-school students, added, "The government must make an easy exam format for Maths. While English should be compulsory, Maths can be replaced by other subjects." Another principal, Alka Kaktkar of Hujurpaga School, said, "The government should make changes in the syllabus. The decision to make Maths and English optional will be harmful to students in the future."

Some others preferred to take a tough stand on the issue.

Shamrao Kalmadi High School principal Pallavi Naik said, "Maths and English are basic subjects. Both should be compulsory. The government should think hard before taking a final call." Archana Jambhorkar, principal, Vidya Vikas School, supported Naik, as she said, "Maths and English cannot be replaced by any other subjects. If students have a problem, teachers should help them."

Most of the teachers agreed that Maths is more difficult than English for slow learners.

Education expert A L Deshmukh summed it up, "This decision will be 50 per cent right. If English is replaced by other subjects, how will a student compete in their career? Maths can be replaced by skill development subjects like tourism, hospital and retail management, dairy, fisheries and agriculture business subjects. It will definitely help low-performing students to pass the SSC exam."