The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has introduced a new curriculum under which ancient Indian knowledge and heritage, including Gita, Ramayana will be taught in about 100 madrassas across the country.
The new curriculum of NIOS has been introduced in accordance with the reforms of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which was approved by the Union Cabinet last year in July. The new curriculum will focus on imparting knowledge about Indian heritage.
The government clarified that it is upto the learner to opt for the combination of subjects of their choice offered under NIOS. The education ministry said that reports suggesting forced introduction “distorted facts and misrepresented truth and seems to be of malicious intent”. The ministry of education, in a statement, said: “It is clarified herewith that NIOS accredits Madrassas under the Special Provision for Quality Education of Madrassas, or SPQEM. Various subjects are offered to learners under this provision-without any hard line boundaries of fixed subject combinations unlike that in the formal education system,”
“It is totally the discretion of the learner to opt for subject combination from the bouquet of the subjects provided by NIOS,” it added. The ministry also said that there are “plans to accredit around 500 more Madrassas with the NIOS” on a demand-basis. As of now, the new curriculum of NIOS will be focused on introducing a basic course for the students of classes 3, 5, and 8. Courses for other classes will be introduced soon after reviewing the courses in all the other classes.
As per the new curriculum introduced by NIOS, 15 new causes will be launched under the Indian Knowledge Traditions. Some of the courses will be on Veda, yoga, science, vocational skills, Sanskrit language, Ramayana and Mahabharat narratives, Bhagavad Gita teachings, and Maheswhara sutras.
The new curriculum of NIOS has been launched and approved by Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal as per the reforms of the NEP 2020, who stated that India is a powerhouse of the ancient language, science, and culture.
While launching the curriculum, the education minister further said that India has all the capabilities to become a knowledge superpower with a rich and ancient heritage and the new curriculum’s benefit would be extended to the students of madrassas and the Indian community across the globe.
The government therefore confirmed that it is not compulsory for the students to read Gita and Ramayana and is totally at the discretion of the learner.
