In a statement, the council rationalized the reduction by stating they wanted to reduce the content load on students in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. On June 1, India cut a slew of foundational topics from tenth grade textbooks, including the periodic table of elements, Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Pythagorean theorem, sources of energy, sustainable management of natural resources and contribution of agriculture to the national economy, among others. These changes effectively block a major swath of Indian students from exposure to evolution through textbooks, because tenth grade is the last year mandatory science classes are offered in Indian schools.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/evolution-periodic-table-to-stay-part-of-class-9-10-syllabus/articleshow/101058188.cms

  • Murvel@lemm.ee
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    24 hours ago

    What the hell are you talking about!? It says in the article that these three subjects have been moved out of mandatory learning.

    Meaning that most Indian students won’t understand the basic principles of evolution or the most simple understanding of the composition of elements.

    Not considering either of these three to be essential mandatory learning is insane.

    • pocker_machine@lemmy.world
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      19 hours ago

      The syllabus includes of related topics way before in 6th or 7th grade. Some of them are often repeated (may be even intentionally). They learn about elements and their composition in 7th or 8th grade. After having all that, if student is inclined to it they learn more in 11th and 12th grades. Most of students follow up to 12th in India. If you are so concerned go check the textbooks yourself - https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php

      Although I don’t suppose most people won’t do that because why put the effort to understand things when you can spew dumb opinions around ?

      The reason the topics were rationalised to improve remote learning and reduce burden on students during exams in a country where suicide rates among students due to exams and societal pressures is a real concern.

      The way people have been reacting to this is as if students coming out of school are dumb fucks with no scientific knowledge. I bet the ones commenting here doesn’t even know half of what those students know.

      • Murvel@lemm.ee
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        19 hours ago

        Again, quoting the article, it says that many students (although maybe not most) will graduate without an understanding of these three subjects.

        How can that be considered a positive, and what’s even more; acceptable?!

        • pocker_machine@lemmy.world
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          18 hours ago

          If I have to teach you about sub par quality of articles on the internet, I won’t. Learn it yourself.

          • Murvel@lemm.ee
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            18 hours ago

            Oh good; so it stands between your credibility; some rando fucking wise guy on the internet and that of the German Public Broadcasting service…

            lmfao

              • Aatube@kbin.melroy.orgOP
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                17 hours ago

                What secondary sources do you propose we trust? Deutsche-Welle has a reputation for fact-checking and retractions. What’s your source that students who don’t major in math or biology will learn these?

    • Voltage@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      20 hours ago

      10th grade is mandatory but 90% of students who studied till 10th WILL study 11th and 12th. In 10th grade they WILL learn pythagoras theorem periodic table and evolution, just not as deep into it as it used to.