SCERT Punjab updates art curriculum for first time in 40 years, integrating local culture, heritage, and social-emotional learning with Slam Out Loud.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Punjab, announced  that the state is poised to modernize its art curriculum and textbooks for the first time in forty years. This initiative aims to incorporate local culture, heritage, and current pedagogical approaches into the educational experience.

To spearhead this significant undertaking, SCERT has collaborated with Slam Out Loud, a nationally recognized organization distinguished for its proficiency in arts-integrated learning, incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) methodologies.

In furtherance of curriculum reform initiatives, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has instituted a project management section, consisting of two committees: a core committee and a working committee. The core committee, convened by Rajeev Kumar, Assistant Director, AQT Cell, SCERT Punjab, comprises art experts representing various regions of the state.

On Friday, however, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Slam Out Loud formally inaugurated the working committee. The meeting’s primary objective was a collaborative review of the accomplishments and impactful initiatives realized over the preceding four years, specifically concerning the enhancement of art education within Punjab.

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In the course of the discussion, the members collectively observed that Punjab’s art textbooks have not been revised in approximately four decades. Recognizing this persistent deficiency, the committee underscored the imperative to revitalize Punjab’s indigenous and cultural artistic expressions and safeguard the state’s extensive artistic legacy via a pertinent, empirically-supported, and culturally-grounded educational framework.

The members additionally affirmed that the forthcoming curriculum will be formulated in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and the State Curriculum Framework (SCF).

The chairperson emphasized the significance of art, recognizing its value both as a distinct academic discipline and as an integral element within interdisciplinary studies. He emphasized that arts-integrated education is essential for cultivating 21st-century competencies, reinforcing socio-emotional development, linking students to authentic contexts, and cultivating a more profound understanding of local and regional artistic traditions.