Maharashtra has unveiled the State Curricular Framework for Foundation Stage (SCF – FS) as an initial move to revamp the school education curriculum in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This reform brings pre-primary education into the school curriculum, focusing on mother tongue-based learning. The foundation stage encompasses children between the ages of 3 and 8, encompassing three years of pre-primary education as well as classes 1 and 2.
The State Council for Education Research and Training (SCERT), responsible for developing the SCF in line with the NCF (National Curriculum Framework) recommendations, has completed its initial draft for the foundational stage. The draft is now open to the public for feedback from stakeholders before final approval.
According to the SCF Draft released, the foundational stage encompasses the initial eight years of a child’s life, a pivotal period for their development. The first three years, predominantly spent at home, emphasize learning in the mother tongue, highlighting its significance in the foundation stage of education. The draft, spanning approximately 350 pages, advocates the introduction of at least two languages during this stage. However, it underscores initiating the transition with the language familiar to the child’s home environment.
According to the SCF draft, learning in one’s mother tongue proves more effective when grasping new concepts at a young age. It recognizes the challenge of having teachers available for all languages and suggests an innovative solution: the introduction of “mobile teachers” proficient in the local spoken language. As per SCF-FS, the incorporation of new languages will be facilitated with the support of the child’s home language. In addition to providing fundamental language and numerical instruction, the SCF-FS places a significant emphasis on nurturing the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children. It sets clear guidelines for these aspects.
According to the SCF draft, the primary concentration will be on comprehensive development during the initial three years, and students in the pre-primary section will not have textbooks. Instead, teachers will receive guidebooks or booklets, which will outline the desired developmental objectives and offer activities to achieve them.
The complete SCF-FS draft can be accessed at the link: https://maa.ac.in
