School semesters, tablets could revolutionise education in AP

VIJAYAWADA: Educationists say introduction of semester system in school education in AP, coupled with tablets, will prove to be a major change maker in the history of education imparted in the country. It is a different matter whether these breakthrough changes will politically benefit the ruling YSR Congress led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Before the semester system could be introduced, State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), as the academic authority, conducted a detailed study about the curriculum, syllabus, and textbooks of NCERT and other state boards in the country as well as abroad. Accordingly, it developed textbooks for classes I to V in bilingual format with trimester system and Class VI textbooks with a two-semester system from academic year 2020–21. Class VII and Class VIII textbooks have been developed in two-semester system from academic year 2021–22 and 2022–23 respectively.

It will be semester system in schools across Andhra Pradesh from class 1 to IX from the next 2023–24 academic year. For class X, the new system will be introduced from 2024–25 academic year onwards.

This new reform in school education is part of the National Education Policy. It transforms education into the CBSE mode from state syllabus. Officials of school education department say only textbooks will be based on the semester system. Examination format and other procedures will be the same.

Welcoming the semester system, educationists say it will help students gain mastery over a subject faster, apart from reducing the burden of books.

Education minister Botsa Satyanarayana has described it as a revolutionary decision of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Satyanarayana underlined that another big change is digitalisation of education through e-tablets, bringing lessons literally to the fingertips of students from class VIII.

However, private schools are confused over the semester system and are seeking clarity from the government. AP Private Schools Association state president Chandrasekhar Rao said the state education department has not clarified on implementation of semester system in private schools of the state.

He pointed out that 40 percent of students in Andhra Pradesh are studying in private schools. Hence, government should provide clarity on semester system and the examination system.