The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a circular on August 19, with an aim to implement the Union Cabinet’s decision to observe the 125th birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr B R Ambedkar, in a big way.
The circular has instructed all CBSE schools to conduct a mock parliament in schools to commemorate the birth anniversary of Ambedkar, in which Class XI and XII students may participate.
Stating that debate was an essential part of personality development to understand issues and form well-informed opinions, the CBSE circular says that the Indian Constitution was formed after extensive debates and discussions.
Stating that debates will help students learn the skills of respectful dialogue in group dynamics, the circular states that the mock parliament will help gain insight into how laws are framed and understand the role of Opposition.
Authorised by Additional Director (research and innovation) Sugandh Sharma, the letter has suggested 10 topics for mock parliament, some of which include capital punishment is unjust and degrading, need for a uniform and non-sexist civil code, whether women’s reservations in legislative bodies is practised in spirit, whether free speech is absolute and so on.
The circular not only lays down points on how mock parliamentary debate is to be conducted but asks schools to watch Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha debates to ensure they understand the concept and even visit Parliament or state assembly to watch debates.
Meanwhile, the school principals said they welcome the idea. They said they have been conducting debates every year, but not a mock parliament.
“Every year we have something called the youth parliament, at one of the designated Kendriya Vidyalayas where even a member of parliament is invited. However, as far as conducting one at the individual school level goes, it hasn’t happened yet and could be interesting. We are not averse to organising it,” said Principal B R Parmar of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dehu Road.
The circular goes on to state that the teachers must familiarise themselves with the formal procedure of how the House is conducted, from the style of speech to seating, role of members and so on. It also stipulates that the seating and sound system should reflect the arrangements in Parliament.
However, one of the principals sounded skeptical about conducting the mock parliament in school. “I have not received the circular from the KV Sangathan but seen it online and some of the points seem excessive. Imagine recreating the seating and sound system of the Parliament at each individual school level. And also our teachers have to sit and study parliamentary proceedings so that we can ape it. I think the idea of encouraging debate is fine, but to imitate exactly what happens in the parliament is going a bit too far. And imagine if the students try to ape the chaos that happens during a parliamentary session these days,” she said.