NEW DELHI: Open discussions in class with teachers, group classroom activities, engagement with family, self-reflection and community engagement comprise the Deshbhakti curriculum in Delhi government schools.
The curriculum was launched on the eve of Independence Day on Saturday by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Following the submission of the copy of the curriculum by State Council for Educational Research and Training, Kejriwal said, “In 70 years, every possible subject was taught in schools except for deshbhakti.” The curriculum aims to develop self-confidence, awareness, respect for constitutional values, problem-solving mindset among students while empowering them to face challenges and bring about changes that will benefit the country.
The three themes of the Deshbhakti curriculum include knowledge, values and behaviour.
Students will be imparted knowledge about constitutional values, plurality and diversity, freedom struggle, achievements and social problems.
They will be taught about values like honesty, integrity, humility, empathy, love and respect for country, compassion, sacrifice. They will be behaviourally influenced to stand up against injustice and adopt scientific reasoning and civic responsibility.
Eight learning outcomes are sought to be achieved, namely self-awareness, self-confidence, problem solving abilities, practising of constitutional values, pluralism and diversity, environmental sustainability, ethical social behaviour, collaboration and social and civic responsibility.
The evaluation will be based on self-assessment, peer assessment and assessment by a teacher.
“The Deshbhakti curriculum will help realise the dreams of our freedom fighters and the celebration of Independence Day will cease to be symbolic in schools, instead holding a substantive meaning,” said Kejriwal on Saturday. “Our government is fully committed to celebrating the spirit of independence each day.”
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia added, “When we started working on the curriculum two years ago, we did not know what form it would take and how it would be formulated. It proved to be a dynamic and constantly evolving process. We have learnt a lot during the pilot of the curriculum and will continue to learn more with time.”
Sisodia added that the assessment would be taken care of appropriately. “While we will keep anecdotal experiences in mind, we have to objectively assess if patriotic feelings are actually being instilled in the minds of our children,” the deputy CM explained.
