JULY - 2007

Micro-scale Chemistry LaboratoryInauguratedThe Southern Regional Micro-scale Chemistry Laboratory,the first of its kind in the country, was launched at RIEMysore on 6 June 2007 under the NIE workshopprogramme on capacity building of states throughSCERTs/Examination boards. Professor G.T. Bhandage,Principal, RIE Mysore, inaugurated the laboratory andcalled upon teachers to use this facility to conductexperiments in chemistry.

Professor H.O. Gupta of NIE Workshop, NCERT, NewDelhi explained the advantages of the SEAT (Student,Environment, Administrator and Teacher) friendlylaboratory. He explained that it is an environmentally safemethod of conducting chemistry experiments usingminimum quantities of chemicals with less cost withoutcompromising on the quality or standard of experiments.Conventional laboratory racks and bottles have beenreplaced by a small box containing small labware andapparatus, and on top of the box are revolving circularracks to hold plastic dispenser bottles which dispense onedrop of liquid at a time. It would be especially useful inschools where there are poor chemistry laboratory facilities.Indeed, the laboratory can easily replace the existingtraditional laboratory. These can also be used as a mobilelaboratory.

LIFE ETERNAL THROUGHLEARNING

The intertwined Hansassymbolise the integration of three

aspects of the work of theNational Council of EducationalResearch and Training (NCERT):(i) Research and Development,(ii) Training, and (iii) Extension.

The design has been adapted from anAshokan period relic of the third

century B.C. found in excavationsnear Maske in the Raichur district

of Karnataka.

The motto has been taken from theIsavasya Upanishad and means

life eternal through learning.Inauguration of Micro-scale Chemistry Laboratory at RIE Mysore

2 NCERT NEWS/July-2007

This technique has been tried out in NewDelhi successfully. Also, as the chemicals usedare in very small quantity, it reduces the risk ofaccidents, acid burns, fumes, etc. It developesexcellent laboratory manipulative skills andhelps reduce laboratory cost, lowers glassbreakage cost and saves storage space.

In the second phase of the training in actualschool situation Prof. G.K. Das, Dr M.M. Jha,Dr S.G.Pandey demonstrated the model teachingof Sanskrit poetry, grammar and proserespectively in the Tapovan High School,Bhubaneswar. Participants and resource personsinteracted on classroom model teaching.

In the valedictory session, the Chief Guest,Shri C.P. Mazhi, Minister of SC/ST Development,Minority and Backward Class Welfare, Governmentof Orissa spoke about the moral values projectedin the Vedas, Upanisads and Geeta.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS

The apparatus of this friendly Micro-scaleChemistry Laboratory can be obtained from theNIE Workshop, NCERT, New Delhi. Schools mayalso contact M.S.Srimathi, Reader in Chemistry,RIE, Mysore and local co-ordinator of the Micro-scale Chemistry Laboratory.

Language and Beyond

ORIENTATION PROGRAMME

Faculty members of the Department ofLanguages, NCERT, New Delhi, acted asresource persons in orientation programmes,from the primary to the higher secondary level,held by various independent schools in NewDelhi, Chandigarh, and Kota (Rajasthan).

In addition, faculty members were alsoinvolved in the orientation programmes for MasterTrainers of KVS/NVS/CBSE affiliated independentschools held by RIEs on the use of new textbooksdeveloped by NCERT based on the NCF-2005 forClasses II, IV, VII, X and XII through face-to-facemode. The training familiarised the teachers withthe ideas and guidelines in the NCF, new approachin the textbooks, and changes suggested inassessment and evaluation. Participants wereasked to elaborate on specific problems. On therequest of participants, faculty membersdemonstrated the teaching of some lessons. Specificareas such as the teaching of grammar, poetry andemerging trends like multilingualism were dealtwith. The programmes were conducted in aninteractive mode.

TRAINING FOR SANSKRIT TEACHERS

The NCERT organised a six-day trainingprogramme at the Scheduled Caste, ScheduledTribe Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI),Bhubaneswar from 25 to 30 June 2007 underthe National Sanskrit Project. Thirty-three Sanskritteachers from SC/ST development schools of Orissaparticipated in it. Dr Tara Dutt, Secretary of SC/ST development department, appreciated theNCERT for organising such a training programme.

In his welcome address, Dr A.B. Ota, Director,SCSTRTI, stated that this was the first programmefor Sanskrit teachers of SC/ST developmentschools. Professor K.K. Mishra, coordinator of the

National Sanskrit Project, Department ofLanguages, NCERT, explained the objectives ofthe programme in the spirit of model trainingprogramme and held a discussion on theNCF-2005 on evaluation system.

In the first phase, Professor M.K. Satapathy,VC, Tirupati University, emphasised on creatingan interest among students towards Sanskrit.Dr. Indu Lata Das, Director, Academy of Yogaand Oriental Studies, Bhubaneswar had adetailed discussion on grammar. Professor G.K.Dash, Department of Sanskrit, Utkal University,Bhubaneswar had a discussion on teachingof poetry.

3NCERT NEWS/July-2007

KRPS OF NAGALAND IN GRADING

A Capacity Building Programme for KeyResource Persons (KRPs) of the State Council ofEducational Research and Training (SCERT)Nagaland, in grading was conducted from5-7 June 2007 at SCERT, Nagaland, Kohima.About 54 teachers of DIETs and academic officersof the council participated in the programme.Deliberations on theoretical aspects of gradingwere made and intricacies related to grading werediscussed during the programme. Moreover,practicum on grading was given and themodalities of its implementation were discussedduring the open house session which was chairedby the Director, SCERT, Nagaland, Kohima.

KRPS OF UTTARAKHAND

A Capacity Building Programme for KeyResource Persons (KRPs) of Uttarakhand Boardof School Education on question setting wasorganised from 18-22 June 2007 at the DistrictInstitute of Education and Training (DIET),Bhimtal, Nainital. In this programme, theoreticaldeliberations were made on quality questionsetting which was followed by practicum. Duringpracticum model question papers and samplequestions for Question Banks were developed indifferent subjects namely English, Hindi, SocialStudies, Science and Mathematics. About 43teachers and academic officers/research officersof the board participated in the programme.

VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL CONFERENCE

PSSCIVE, Bhopal organised a NationalVocational Technical Exhibition Conference andSeminar in Pune in collaboration with theDirectorate of Vocational Education andTraining, Government of Maharashtra, Papersrelated to vocational education, qualityupgradation, work centred education,information and communication technology,competency based training etc. were presented.

TALKS ON

New trends of vocational education

Self employment opportunities in emergingprofessions

Capacity Building ProgrammeCOMMERCIAL GARMENT DESIGN AND MAKING

Teachers from Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Biharand Goa participated in this teachers trainingprogramme.

The programme was inaugurated byProfessor R.G. Chouksey, Joint Director,PSSCIVE, Bhopal. He apprised the participantsabout the roles and functions of PSSCIVE,Bhopal. The training was imparted in designing,drafting, paper pattern making, cutting, stitching,fitting problems, computer application, Indianembroidery and zardosi work. The trainees wereexposed to new technology sewing machines atthe New Bhopal Textile Mills, Jute ManufacturingUnit, in Bhopal.

Abstracts and Publications‘Teacher Training: Any Impact?’

Published in the University News 45(10) by Professor M. Sen Gupta, Head,DERPP and IRD.

Contemporary school education is undertremendous pressure due to rising societalexpectations, parental aspirations and rapidtechnological changes. The pedagogicalprinciples and methodologies learnt in theB.Ed. course are not sustained in the actualclassroom situation. The article elaborates onthe systemic factors that affect theeffectiveness of a teacher, such as a congenialteaching environment, an encouraging andforward looking administration, availabilityand usability of variety of technological aids,opportunities for professional growth and ahelping and innovative institutional ethos. Itrecommends that, for a lasting impact ofteacher training programmes, parallel andsimultaneous inputs be provided to relatedsub systems like provision of infrastructuralfacilities, curricular reform, efficient systemicmanagement use of communicationtechnology and due recognition of teacher’sstatus.Dr. K.Chandrasekar, Lecturer, DEMEpublished the following articles:Teacher Educators’ Perceptions of DIETs’Facilities and their Relation to Certain

4 NCERT NEWS/July-2007

Personal and Demographic Variables’,Perspectives in Education, 23 (2),April 2007, SERD, Bharuch.‘Evaluation Practices in Different Countries’,Journal of Educational Research andExtension, 44(2), April-June, 2007,Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya College ofEducation, Coimbatore.He has also edited the book Vocationalisationof Education — Conflict between Ideologyand Practice, Sonali Publishing House, NewDelhi, 2007.

NCERT Doctoral FellowshipsNCERT Doctoral Fellowships have beeninstituted in order to further enhance anunderstanding of the concerns expressed inNCF-2005. It provides opportunities to youngaspirants to pursue doctoral work in educationand other fields directly related to education inan institution of their choice. Ten candidatesacross the nation have been selected. Theawardees have proposed to conduct researchin diverse areas of education including pre-school and special education, psycho-socialdevelopment, classroom processes, schoolcommunity relationship, environmentaleducation, and empowerment of weaker sectionssuch as women, minorities and tribal children.

SELECTED CANDIDATES

Ms. Adya Shakti Rai (Varanasi) — A Study onChildren with Special Needs under SarvaShiksha Abhiyan: Role of Panchayati RajInstitutions in Eastern UP.Ms. Neha Vakil (Delhi) — Exploring Psycho-social Interaction Patterns among Families of0-3 year olds in Urban Slums of DelhiMr. Gopal Singh (Ajmer) — Ef fect ofConstructivist Principle Based ClassroomProcesses on Thinking Patterns of Studentsat the Primary Level.Mr. Ranjan Kumar Dash (Bhubaneswar) —Impact of Modalities of School CommunitySymbiosis on Quality Education of ST and SCchildren at Primary Level in the State of Orissa.Mr. Gaurav Rao (Lucknow) — Developmentof Learner -centric Instructional Designfor Environmental education at the UpperPrimary Level.

Ms. Manvi Yadav (Lucknow) — Influence ofEducation in Empowerment of Dalit Women.Mrs. Priya Singhvi (Jodhpur) — CriticalAppraisal of Various pre-schools in Jodhpurand Designing Ergonomically ModularFurniture for pre-school Children.Md. Aftab Alam (Delhi) — A Study of SelectedMuslim Managed Schools in Delhi: AnEthnographic Research.Mr. Sushil Kumar Nageshwar, Dindori (MP)— Baiga Janjati–Ek AdhyayanMs. Malabika Biswas, Birbhum (WB) — AStudy of Children's Health Status andPhysical Education Teaching Infrastructurein Primary Schools of West Bengal.

Orientation Programme forMaster TrainersIn continuation of the orientation programmefor Master Trainers organised by NCERT in2006, the Department of Teacher Education andExtension (DTEE) organised a similarprogramme for Master Trainers of KVs, NVs andCBSE affiliated schools. The programme, which,began in June 2007, was on the new textbooksdeveloped by NCERT in phase-II, i.e. for ClassesII, IV, VII, X and XII, through face-to-face modeat NIE, New Delhi and at all RIEs at Ajmer,Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Shillong and Mysore.

FOCUS

Presentation on the salient features of newtextbooks – content style excercises andillustrations etc.

Reflection of (five guiding principles), NCF-2005 in textbooks; Interconnection/continumacross subjects and levels (classes) ofeducation and Guidelines for using textbooks

Teaching strategies for selected topics in thesubject areas

Evaluation with focus on strategies natureof activities/examples; Evaluationstrategies to be adopted by the teachers;Internal evaluation; Model question papers.

The programme included discussion andinteractive sessions giving opportunities forquestions, queries, suggestions and commentson various aspects of education.

5NCERT NEWS/July-2007

AWARDThe prestigious President Dr.Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medalfor the year 2006 was awarded toKum Surabhi Shukla, student ofB.Sc.Ed. four year integrated courseat RIE Bhopal for best overallachievement in academic and otheractivities.

BriefsERIC

The screening-cum-progress monitoringcommittee for ERIC funded research project washeld at NCERT, New Delhi on 17 April 2007.The committee considered 4 fresh researchproposals, 5 modified research proposals andprogress reports of 4 on-going projects.

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSE IN GUIDANCEAND COUNSELLING IN COLLABORATION WITHCOMMONWEALTH OF LEARNING (COL), CANADA

A workshop on developing skills of editingself-learning material developed by the Departmentof Educational Psychology and Foundations ofEducation for offering an International Diploma

Course in Guidance and Counselling throughDistance/Online Mode in Collaboration withCommonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada wasorganised for five days from 23–27 April 2007at the NIE campus. Mr. Bruce Thompson, anexpert in Instructional Design, from BritishColumbia, Canada conducted the workshopwhich was attended by 17 experts from outsideand within NCERT. It aimed to providehands-on experience to the editors to edit thecourse material keeping in view the principles ofinstructional design to make it suitable fordistance learning. The workshop involvedintensive review of some exemplar course units,group work, and sharing of insights and skillsacquired for editing the material.

Children attending a six-daytraining programme at theScheduled Caste, Scheduled TribeResearch and Training Institute(SCSTRTI), Bhubaneswar under theNational Sanskrit Project.

Snapshots...

6 NCERT NEWS/July-2007

STUDY: COMPILATION AND ANALYSIS OFTELECONFERENCING

A study based on the direct interaction ofteachers with experts during the orientationprogramme for the teachers of KVs, NVs andCBSE affiliated independent schools on the useof new textbooks for Classes I, III, VI, IX and XIdeveloped by NCERT through teleconferencingwas undertaken with a view to analyse and reviewthe teachers' observations and suggestions andalso their questions/queries on NCF-2005, newsyllabi, textbooks and other related aspects. Theinteraction of teachers with resource persons hasencompassed 108 sessions in 36 working daysfrom 6 July to 28 August 2006.

OBJECTIVES

to disseminate important information to alarger number of teachers who could notbe included in the teleconferencingto use the compiled information forenriching future programmesto make available the feed back of teacherson NCF-2005, new syllabi, textbooks andother related aspects to policy planners andother stake holders in school education.

The group of teachers in various subjectsi.e., Hindi (1777), English (1968), Physics (340),Chemistry (353), Biology (357), Mathematics(2199), History (164), Geography (173),Economics (250), Accountancy (182), Businessstudies (223), EVs (351), Sanskrit (334), Science(1291) and Social Science (1263) at differentlevels have provided their views, observationsand feedback.

The queries of the participants in differentsubjects at different levels have been compiled. Theanalysis of these questions and queries indicatethat in general, the participant teachers haveappreciated the content and their presentationsin the new textbooks. The queries, observationsand suggestions provided by the teachers indifferent subjects and levels consist of EVS ClassIII (110), English- Classes I and III (70), Class-VI(111), Class IX (168) and Class XI (154);Mathematics- Classes I and III (55); Class VI (264),Class IX (242), and Class XI (152); History- ClassIX (152); History- Class XI (111); Geography-Class XI (122); Economics- Class XI (147) and

Business Studies Class XI (127). The queriesare related to concepts, illustrations, examples,diagrams, flow charts, exercises etc. given inthese books and their critical analysis in light ofnew syllabi and NCF-2005. Similarly, theimportant suggestions given by the teachersinclude continum of concepts and elaborationat different levels in a given subject andinterconnection of contents.

The inputs received from the group of about12000 teachers through their direct interactionwith experts on NCF-2005, new syllabi andtextbooks will go a long way towards undertakingexercise on continual improvement of textbooksand development of related materials forqualitative improvement of education in thecountry. This work was undertaken byDr Madhulika S. Patel, Reader, DTEE.

New PublicationsJOURNALS

Indian Educational Review: January 2007

Prathmik Shikshak: Jaunary 2007

Prathmik Shikshak : July-October 2006

School Science : September 2006

School Science : June 2006

Prathmik Shikshak : April 2006

School Science: December 2006

Indian Educational Abstracts: January 2006

Indian Educational Abstracts: July 2005

Journal of Indian Education: August 2006

Bhartiya Adhunik Shiksha: October 2005

Bhartiya Adhunik Shiksha: July 2005

National Talent Search Scheme: InformationBrochure

TEXTBOOKS

Ibtedai Urdu for Class II

Ibtedai Urdu for Class II

Apni Zaban for Class VII

Urdu Guldasta Supplementary Reader forClass VII

Nawai-e-Urdu Class X

Gulzar-e-Urdu Supplementary Reader forClass X

Gulistan-e-Adab for Class XII

Khayaban-e-Urdu Supplementary Readerfor Class XII

7NCERT NEWS/July-2007

Reading Development CellReading has always been recognised as a keycomponent of a sound educational programme.However, it is unfortunate that, althoughmillions of children learn reading every year, alarge number of them fail to achieve lastingreading skills. In most of our primary schoolsreading is limited to textbooks and preparationfor examinations. Reading to explore andprocess information, developing a personalinterest in reading, and reading for pleasureoften get neglected, and the child fails to becomea competent reader. It is important, therefore,to look at reading as a high priority area—onethat merits immediate attention and action. It isin this context that a Reading Development Cellin NCERT has been established under theSarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

OBJECTIVES

• To select, procure and also develop newgraded reading material for children(Classes I and II) in Hindi and English.

• To design and create a reading corner ineach of the selected schools.

• To orient teachers in reading pedagogy.

• To create awareness among teachers as wellas community for developing a readingculture.

• To devise strategies for wide disseminationof existing and newly developed readingmaterials.

• To publish a magazine for children once intwo months which should includecompositions and writings done by children.

• To develop a teacher’s manual forutilisation of the reading materials.

• To develop guidelines for setting up ofreading cells across states.

• To identify and document the activities ofNGOs working in this area.

• To evaluate and document the process ofthe pilot project in the form of periodicreports.

Professor Manjula Mathur is the co-ordinatorof the Reading Development Cell. Somefaculty have also been attached to the Cell.

Staff News

Superannuations• Smt. S.K. Shamla, PGT, RIE Mysore on

26-06-2007.

• Shri Puran Lal, Assistant retired on31-05-2007.

• Dr C.S. Nagaraju, Principal, RIE Mysore on30-04-2007.

• Shri M.Balashanmugham, Sr. Acctts. Officerretired on 30-06-2007.

• Dr (Mrs) Asha Singha, PGT in History at D.M.School, RIE Bhopal on 30-06-2007.

• Shri Giridhari Lal, Packer retired on30-04-2007.

• Shri Satbir Singh, Daftari retired on 30-06-2007.

Appointments• Shri Kapil Kanal has been appointed as

Marketing Executive, Regional Centre,Ahmedabad on 18.12.2006.

• Shri (Mrs) Elizabeth Gangmai, Lecturer inEducation, RIE Bhubaneswar, w.e.f.23-04-2007.

• Dr (Mrs) Promila, Lecturer in Chemistry, RIEAjmer, w.e.f. 07-05-2007.

• Dr (Mrs) Basansy Kharlukhi, Lecturer inEducation, RIE Bhopal, w.e.f. 25-05-2007.

• Shri Dhuryodhan Ketki, Lecturer in PoliticalScience, RIE Bhopal, w.e.f. 30-05-2007.

• Shri Spain Borlang Kharchandy, Lecturer inMaths, RIE Ajmer, w.e.f. 18-06-2007.

• Shri Yuingam Jojo, Lecturer in Sociology, RIEBhubaneswar, w.e.f. 20-06-2007.

Promotions• Shri Jagdish Chander Sharma, Daftari

promoted as LDC on 12-06-2007.

• Sh. Pawan Kumar Giri, Peon promoted asLDC on 12-06-2007.

• Sh. Suraj Bhan, Daftari, promoted as LDCon 12-06-2007.

• Shri Prakash N. Baviskar, Storekeeper Gr.I,Regional Centre, Ahmedabad, promoted asAssistant Store Officer.

8 NCERT NEWS/July-2007

Back MarginConcern for the condition of libraries is routinelyexpressed but we rarely reflect on the question,“Who needs a library?” Even in reputed collegesstudents find it possible to obtain high markswithout using the library. They prepare themselvesfor the examination with the help of ‘keys’ andguides. In schools this situation is even clearer.There are very few schools in the country whichmake it a point to give to every student theexperience of using the library. What is true ofschools and colleges is also true of universities –they keep the students imprisoned in the narrowcircle of textbooks, ‘keys’ and the annualexamination.

When this is the condition of students, we caneasily imagine the state of teachers in collegesand university teachers. Some college anduniversity teachers use the library for their ownresearch work. Teachers who work in the libraryfor preparing for their classes are rare. That ateacher can take classes day after day for yearswithout facing the need to consult a libraryindicates several distortions in our educationsystem.

Some of these distortions are related to thephilosophy of education and matters pertaining tocurriculum, syllabus and the methodology ofteaching. Several contradictions are part of the largerenvironment in which book reading has steadilydeclined as a habit. If we ignore these distortionsand attempt merely to improve the library system,our effort will remain inadequate. The conduct ofstudents is ultimately a reflection of the teacher’sconduct. If a teacher does not feel the need to reada few books with attention and pleasure duringpre-service training, then we can assume that sucha teacher will not be able to create a fascination forthe library in the mind of students. The ability tolose oneself in a book is an achievement. Onlywhen teachers set a standard of this achievementcan they expect to influence their students.

KRISHNA KUMAR

Publication TeamP. Rajakumar Meenakshi Khar

Shveta Uppal Varada Nikalje

Arun Chitkara

Thursday Lecture ForumThe following lectures were organised byDERPP at NCERT, New Delhi.The Reflective Teacher—Organisation of In-service Training of the Teachers by Dr D.D.Yadav, DTEE, NCERT on 12 April 2007.National Awakening and NationalIntegration – A Case Study of GurukunjAshram by Professor Usha Dutta,Department of Languages, NCERT on26 April 2007.Visual Language of Creation byDr Pramod Kumar Dubey, Departmentof Languages, NCERT on 24 May 2007.Aaj Ka Samaya Aur Bhakti Kavya byDr. Chandra Sadayat, Department ofLanguages, NCERT on 21 June 2007.Annual Status of Education Report 2006(Rural) by Ms. Rukmani Banerjee andMr. Ronald Abraham, Pratham, Delhi on28 June 2007.

Curriculum GroupThe curriculum group has proposed to developa resource team, in order to disemminate theideas given in the NCF- 2005 to teachers andteacher educators; and to provide academicsupport to the States for implementation ofthese ideas. For this, an orientation programmewas planned in two phases - first phase from28 June to 06 July, 2007 and the second fromOctober 24 to November 06, 2007. Theparticipants for the first phase were from RIEs,Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysore andShillong; CIET, PSSCIVE, Bhopal and NIE.Discussions were held on eight position papersof NCF - Teaching of Science, Mathematics,Indian Languages, English, Social Sciences,Aims of Education, Systemic Reforms forCurriculum Change and Curriculum, Syllabusand Textbooks. The participants were assignedthe task of trying out the ideas of NCF in theschools and developing the plan forimplementation of these ideas in the schools.

Website : www.ncert.nic.in,E-mail: publica@nda. vsnl.net.in

Published at the Publication Department by theSecretary, National Council of Educational Researchand Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110 016.Lasertypeset in-house and printed at...