New Delhi: Several academicians for the move to push a common syllabus in science and mathematics across the country have criticized Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) and described it as, "transgressing its role as a Council."

Four academicians issuing a joint statement against COBSE, which is the coordinating body for school boards in the country, has raised questions over the preparation of the curriculum.

The statement has been issued by Professor A.K. Sharma, Prof. J.S. Rajput - both former directors of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) - Prof. N.K. Ambasht, former professor in the NCERT, and Prof. A.N. Maheshwari, former chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

A common core curriculum for science and mathematics for the Plus 2 stream was prepared by COBSE last month, which was approved by the states and was released by Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal.

"We oppose this move because it gives a wrong impression that a similar curriculum is being developed which would be an alternative to the NCERT. Why is this double effort necessary?" said the joint statement.

The states rely on the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005, which was developed by the NCERT and approved by the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), as the benchmark to develop syllabi and textbooks having the flexibility to suit specific contexts.

"The core curriculum in maths and science is already prescribed by the NCERT," pointed out the statement while adding that a revision of the curriculum has already been undertaken by the states, which is in conformity to the guidelines in the NCF.

"COBSE appears to have overstepped its role to develop a core syllabus to meet the concerns of entrance examinations to professional courses," said the statement.

With the NCF already in force and students already undertaken the examination based on its criteria , COBSE’s new attempt has created misgivings and confusion in educational circles.

"There is a need to re-think on this development on the part of all concerned authorities," added the statement.

"The NCERT in its curriculum development initiatives associates with its faculty, practising school teachers, eminent scientists, social scientists, historians, and linguists. It is our sincere duty that an institution like the NCERT should continue to discharge its responsibility for curriculum development," the statement said.