New Delhi: India’s significant contributions to research in the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Himalayas are set to become part of school textbooks, as the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences collaborates with the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to incorporate the latest developments into the curriculum.
M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, revealed that NCERT has formed a committee tasked with highlighting the importance of research in these regions, including Antarctica, the Arctic, the Himalayas, and climate change, in school textbooks. This initiative aims to update the content, which currently lacks recent advancements in Antarctica, Arctic, and Himalayan research.
Following a rationalization exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, certain topics such as climate change, monsoon, and greenhouse effect were temporarily dropped from textbooks to alleviate the curriculum load. However, NCERT clarified that these subjects would be reinstated in the new curriculum framework, with revised textbooks expected to be available for all classes by 2026.
India, hosting the 46th meeting of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 26th meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), will share scientific findings and future plans with other nations engaged in Antarctic research during the forthcoming meetings in Kochi from May 20-30.
India’s active research stations, Maitri and Bharti, in Antarctica demonstrate the country’s commitment to polar research. Despite logistical challenges, including the sinking of the first research station, Dakshin Gangotri, in 1983, India continues to engage in Antarctic exploration and scientific endeavors.
Thamban Meloth, director of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), noted that while high school students have not yet participated in Antarctic research programs like “Students on Ice,” several senior students involved in research have visited Antarctica. However, logistical constraints and costs make it challenging to facilitate such programs for high school students.
The “Students on Ice” program, led by Canadian educator Geoff Green, offers high school students from around the world the opportunity to explore Antarctica and the Arctic accompanied by educators and scientists. Despite the logistical hurdles, India remains committed to fostering scientific curiosity and awareness among its students regarding polar research and environmental conservation.
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