The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced bridge courses in order to help students who are lagging in their learning while transitioning from one grade to another. In simple words, the guidelines are meant to fill in the gaps in their learning and make it easier for them to move on to the next grade in school. NCERT wants schools to follow these guidelines.
This year, NCERT will only give out the new books for Class 3 and Class 6. But in the next few years, they’ll do the same for other grades as well. NCERT’s guidelines suggest a two-week programme for Class 3 and a one-month programme for Class 6. These programs will focus on fun learning activities without the pressure of regular schoolwork. NCERT wants to create a playful environment to help both teachers and students get used to the new lessons and teaching styles. It is important to make sure students can understand the new stuff, or else they will struggle.
The guidelines also suggest some new ways of teaching, doing projects for job-related skills, and taking trips to learn about science and social studies. According to NCERT, Class 6 is the start of a new stage where students learn more about the world around them and also get to explore different jobs. Thus, teachers are advised to find a balance between teaching directly and letting students explore things on their own. They say students will need more help with understanding new concepts, so teachers should pay attention to what students already know and build on that.
For testing, the guidelines suggest doing worksheets and written tests for Class 3, and for Class 6, they suggest testing how well students understand things instead of just memorising facts. In addition to the bridge courses and new teaching approaches, the guidelines emphasise the importance of assessment in evaluating student progress. To better understand the context of the bridge, read the pointers below-
NCERT is helping students move from one grade to another more easily
They have made special courses called bridge courses for this
These courses fill in the gaps in what students have learned before
They include fun activities and hands-on learning
Teachers are getting training to teach these courses well
NCERT will keep checking how well these courses are working
NCERT aims to ensure that every student gets to see success in the classroom and for this reason, it is making efforts to prepare bridge course guidelines and update school textbooks. NCERT is trying to make a basic foundation for a more inclusive and effective education system in line with the goals of the NEP 2020 and is addressing the issues related to learning gaps that students face, introducing innovative teaching methods, and reviewing assessment-related practices as well.
For Class 3, the guidelines include the usage of worksheets and written tests to ensure that students have enough time to complete them. This approach will allow the teachers to gauge students’ understanding of the material covered in the bridge course and identify the areas where they might need additional support. Meanwhile, for Class 6, the guidelines recommend a more holistic approach to assessment, with the focus on understanding rather than simply recalling facts. This could involve multiple projects/ presentations and activities in which students will demonstrate their understanding of key concepts. Teachers will also be able to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the students by moving away from traditional testing methods. Moreover, teachers will be able to alter their instructions accordingly and guide students in a better manner.
No doubt that transitioning between grades can be a challenge for students, especially if they have not understood the foundational concepts of previous grades. Recognising such challenges, the bridge courses aim to fill in these gaps by providing target-based instruction and activities that are tailored to each grade level’s requirements. Through this, students will be able to catch up on the missed concepts (if any) and ensure that they are adequately prepared for the new material in the new grade.
Through the guidelines, NCERT aims to promote a supportive learning environment for students where they feel positive and encouraged about asking questions, looking out for new ideas, and collaborating with other students. This will make students more confident and enhance their critical thinking skills. This way, they will become ready for the challenges of the new curriculum and approach outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
A more holistic and practical approach to education is advocated in NEP 2020. Thus, by engaging students in hands-on activities, experiments, and projects, teachers will be able to foster a deeper understanding of concepts and encourage active participation in the learning process.
Additionally, teachers are encouraged to undergo training to familiarise themselves with the new curriculum, teaching methodologies, and assessment practices outlined in the guidelines. This investment in teacher development is essential for ensuring educators have the knowledge and skills to effectively support students’ learning. By collecting data on student performance, feedback from teachers, and other relevant indicators, NCERT will continuously make changes and improve the bridge courses to meet the actual needs of students better.
Thus, by providing targeted support to students during critical transition periods, NCERT aims to provide both knowledge and skills to every student that is required to achieve success in their academic journey.
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