Govt set to ruin academic year of Classes 11, 12 students: Cheema

›I am worried over the fate of Classes 11 and 12 students in schools affiliated to the board as it has failed to finalise the study material for history. DALJEET S CHEEMA , former education minister

: Raising an alarm, former education minister Daljeet Singh Cheema has lambasted the Punjab government and the Punjab School Education Board for what he claimed was criminal negligence, saying the board was offering the syllabus and study material in instalments.

“To date, only one chapter of history for Class 12 has been released. I am worried over the fate of Class 11 and 12 students in schools affiliated to the board as it has failed to finalize the study material for the subject of history,” he added.

Since the first chapter itself was full of blunders, factual errors and indiscrete language offensive to the religious and cultural sentiments of all communities, the board conceded to make suitable amends, he added.

“The board has only English version of the first chapter of the subject for Class 11, while the majority of the students opt for Punjabi as medium of instructions in schools. Thus, nearly 90% students have no study material,” added Cheema.

He said the students have to appear in their half yearly examinations in September but the government has failed to finalise the study material, he added.

“This flawed approach has ruined the academic life,” said Cheema pointing that it seems students’ concern is the last priority of the state government.

Cheema pointed that the expert committee appointed to set up the syllabus and study material in its wisdom had rightly suggested to continue the previous syllabus for the current academic session hoping that the new syllabus and study material would be prepared and be ready much before the beginning of the new academic session 2019-20.

“Unfortunately, the suggestion was turned down without applying mind by powers that be,” the former education minister added.