CBSE Class 10 Social Science syllabus pruned for Board Exams 2019; experts say dropped chapters critical

CBSE has long been delving on making the curriculum light as well as relevant to future careers for students.

CBSE has decided to do away with five chapters for Class X Social Science Paper. (Image: PTI)

CBSE Board Exams 2019: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has long been delving on making the curriculum light as well as relevant to future careers for students. After introducing the option for selecting Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic from the year 2020, CBSE has decided to do away with five chapters for Class X Social Science Paper for the Board Examinations 2019-20. These five chapters are ‘Democracy and Diversity’, ‘Popular Struggle and Movements’ and ‘Challenges to Democracy’ from Political Studies and ‘Forest and Wildlife’ and ‘Water Resources’ from Environment. CBSE has issued a circular to schools stating that the aforementioned chapters of Class X NCERT Social Science Textbooks will be “assessed in the periodic tests, but will not be evaluated in the board examination.” Academic Experts are of the view that all these chapters are critical in making the students understand the subjects holistically. The chapter ‘Democracy and Diversity’ deals with the politics of social divisions and takes students through events and reform movement led by Martin Luther King from 1954-68. Click here to read CBSE's official announcement ‘Popular Struggle and Movements’, on the other hand, demonstrates how struggles around conflicting demands and pressure from the powerful shape democracy in a country. The chapter showcases how Nepal restored Democracy in 2006 and how Bolivia revolted against water privatization in 2006. The chapter ‘Challenges to Democracy’ talks about various situations that hinder smooth functioning of democratic governments in a country. Scenarios from the Indian Democracy along with political reforms like the Right to Information Act, etc. ‘Forest and Wildlife’ from Geography establishes how biodiversity is important for ecosystems to thrive. What are factors that have led to the decline of biodiversity in India and what good practices can restore the same. ‘Water Conservation’ is yet another important chapter children must be sensitized at a young age. As per CBSE, the Board is not omitting these chapters from the Social Science Class X syllabus as students will have to learn them for the internal assessment or periodic tests; however, as per teachers, students are bound to have a relaxed approach towards these chapters if they’ll not be a part of the CBSE Board Exams 2019-20. Teachers are also of the viewpoint that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and academic experts should be the deciding authority for such changes and not an examination conducting body like Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).