Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 3:

The Curriculum Development Centre (CDC) is preparing a national curriculum framework (NCF) for grades one to 12, for the first time. Preparation is in the final stage and it will be implemented with effect from the next curriculum revision.

Professor Dr Tirtha Raj Parajuli, NCF team leader said that the framework is being made to address the latest and emerging global educational issues. He added that the framework would be submitted by next week, and would come into effect from the next curriculum revision.

CDC director Jagannath Awa said after the implementation of the framework there would be no haphazard changes in curricula, as used to happen before.

Awa said that earlier decisions were being taken on the spur of moment as there had been no guidelines to follow.

Civic education, HIV/AIDS education, population studies are some examples of including a chapter or a new subject. Seven years ago, the government decided to add new subjects like population studies, health and environment as optional subjects for grades 9 and 10. The decision had increased the curriculum load.

Such a provision was also there even during the New Education Policy of 1971, but it was mentioned in just one paragraph. Besides, the framework clearly states the core subjects will not be changed and the same goes for optional subjects.

CDC began work on the framework with support from the Ministry of Education and Sports more than a year ago, with various regional workshops and two central-level workshops.

“Had all three subjects been integrated, it would have been better but in Nepal we don’t have such all-rounder teachers who could teach all the subjects,” said Awa.

“There is an immediate need to form a guideline to revise and reform, so that there is uniformity in the curriculum,” said Parajuli.

According to rule, major revision of the curriculum has to be done every 10 years, minor revision every five years and an annual revision for updating data and information.