Government asks teachers not to give Class I, II students homework

PANAJI: The Directorate of Education, in a circular to all heads of government and aided schools, has directed teachers of Class I and II not to prescribe homework to students.
Stating this, an order issued by the director of education Vandana Rao said this is in keeping with guidelines in a latest Madras High Court writ petition. “However, they give classwork for evaluation,” Rao said.
No additional textbooks are to be prescribed for students of Class I and II without the permission of the state council of educational research and training (SCERT) / directorate of education, she added.
Only books prescribed by SCERT, by adopting the national state council of educational research and training (NCERT) curriculum must be followed in Goa.
The circular give a list of books that can be used by teachers to teach English, Marathi, Maths and environmental studies (EVS) to primary students.
Schools have also been instructed to reduce the weight of the school bag appropriately as per the child’s age and follow the directorate of education’s circular issued in February where two students are permitted to share a single text book in the classroom, where the school can maintain a set of spare textbooks, where teachers can cover course matter in the class and where teachers can use audio-visual methods in class. This avoids adverse effects of heavy school bags.
“The assistant director of education inspector (ADEI) and zonal officers should make surprise visits, periodic checks in this regard and send the quarterly report to the director of education with a copy endorsed to SCERT for compilation,” director Vandana Rao said.