Waiting to enrol in Class XI, V Subesh and Velava M have decided to opt for six subjects despite the option to choose one subject less, as per the new subject groups.
The Tamil Nadu state education department may be all for taking the weight off Class XII students by reducing a subject, but bright young minds working to realise their dreams of becoming a doctor or an engineer are feeling the pressure because of the change. The students, both NEET aspirants, say the existing rule of four core subjects group — physics, chemistry, maths and biology — gives them more options. In case they are not able to join MBBS, they can have a chance at BE/BTech. Such a flexibility is not available with three subjects.
While Subesh and Velava, with their access to a variety of experts and teachers have been guided to take the tougher call at present for a smoother choice in future, not many are teenagers are aware that this academic decision is a career choice. “A majority of the higher secondary students cannot decide their career after Class X. They begin thinking only after Class XII results. If any of them chooses a combination like biology, chemistry and home science group, their options in future are not very wide,” says R Rajkumar, headmaster, DRBCCC Higher Secondary School in Perambur.
Despite strong opposition from headmasters and teachers, the school education department will be implementing the option of the three core subject groups for Class XI from 2020-21. Experts question its logic, lack of clarity and absence of an initiative to create awareness about the impact of the choice among students, especially first generational learners.
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Experts feel with the new move, the focus has shifted from learning to what is professionally viable at the age of 15. “Students who prepare for NEET also write JEE for engineering, CLAT for law and NATA for architecture. Since knowledge of higher secondary maths is required in all these exams, students have to choose carefully,” says K S Revati, principal of Alagappa Schools in Purasawalkam.
To stave off the decision-making, career consultants advise students to take six subjects that ensure more options. “We don’t recommend pure science for medical aspirants. In the past, students taking pure science have not performed well in exams like NEET, as physics questions need knowledge of maths. So students who want to study medicine, maths, physics, chemistry and biology will be a better choice, rather than dropping maths from the combination,” says career consultant Jayaprakash Gandhi, who feels the government should give career options for the five subject groups.
Since some of the new subject combinations can confuse students and parents, the government should create awareness about the different combinations offered. “There is a possibility that students may select wrong groups and realise it too late,” says P B Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System. State board students could lose out in comparison to, say CBSE students, who can choose six subjects — one language and four electives and another elective or language (optional subject). “When exams like NEET have reduced opportunities to pursue medical education for state board students, the government should not limit their career options further. They should recall the order of introducing three core subjects groups for Class XI,” he says.
Vehemently opposing the move, Anna University former vice-chancellor and a committee member for school education E Balagurusamy feels one subject less will not reduce stress. “Reducing a subject for higher secondary students is a serious matter. It should have been discussed elaborately before being implemented. The government has formed a high-level committee for school education to decide on key issues. But, the committee has not met in the past two years,” he says.
Some schools feel the positive side is the move can help the average scorers. “If students choose five subjects, we can choose the extra period to engage our students in preparing them for entrance tests,” says G J Manohar, headmaster of MCC Higher Secondary School.
But former school education minister Thangam Thennarasu says this argument doesn’t hold in the longer run. “If we give options to 15-year-olds, obviously they would choose a subject less. Students and parents will realise it only at a later stage when they do not have options to join courses. It could be an obstacle for students to join prominent higher educational institutions,” he says, adding that it could be a prelude to the new education policy.
Courtesy: TOI
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