According to me, it will be a great initiative to introduce Biotechnology as a subject at Higher Secondary Level by school boards/councils in NE India. Biotechnology is relatively a new research based subject which requires good infrastructure, equipments, trained teachers and expertise in acquiring new skills. For this subject to grow in a country like India, it needs great exposure and reaching out to the grass root level. Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India, through it’s BLiSS programme is already taking care of this part by sanctioning grants to build a good Biotechnology lab with sufficient equipments and infrastructure in the school level. It also has options for training teachers for upgrading their knowledge and skill. CBSE has already introduced this subject in this level, as an elective, since 2004 for creating interest and aptitude towards this subject. All these steps are being taken in the right direction so that students of today are in the right place at the right time. To have a holistic education, it’s very important for the students to learn what’s new. If introduced in the Senior Secondary level, the students will get enough exposure and opportunity to learn this subject, and develop interest and right attitude towards Science in general and towards this subject, in particular. This interdisciplinary subject along with the traditional subjects like Biology, Chemistry and Physics will help students to have more comprehensive and intense approach in preparation for competitive examinations for various professional courses as well as help them to consider this subject as their future career choice. Enhanced practical exposure to various techniques in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, etc. will instill passion and drive in them to pursue this subject which is the need of the hour. If implemented in the right earnest, this has the potential to change the face of school education and take it to the next level.
Remya Parameswar Iyer PGT Biotechnology, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khanapara.
Biotechnology represents an interface between basic and applied sciences where gradual and subtle transformations of science into technology can be witnessed. In this multi-disciplinary field various technologies coupled with knowledge on biological field is used to create new product or modify existing products for our betterment. In the 21st century, biotechnology has shown unprecedented growth and some mind-boggling innovation. However, I don’t support the introduction of biotechnology as a subject at higher secondary level by school board/ councils in North East India. Biotechnology is a specialized subject which takes into consideration both biological sciences and technology.
Therefore, basic knowledge of biology is essential at the Plus-Two level, or else, it will be difficult to understand biotechnology. Hence, the syllabus at higher secondary level must be kept generalized. This will help the students need to learn basics of all the subjects. Rather, my take on this topic would be to include topics such as contemporary advances made in biotechnology, genetic engineering, hybridoma techniques etc. as small projects or model preparation at the high school level or higher secondary level. Such projects along with basic biological knowledge may incite interest among the students to study biotechnology at the next level.
Somorita Baishya PhD Research Scholar, Dept of Life science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar.
Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science that combines biological sciences with engineering technologies for the outmost application of its manipulation and utilization for the greater good of mankind. The recent advancement in biotechnology has led to the successful application of its produce in healthcare and agriculture. The National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020 by the Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences has aimed to establish India as a world-class bio-manufacturing hub, thus qualified and well trained biotechnologists are the utmost requirement. This necessitates inclusion of biotechnology as a subject from the high school level which will subsequently enrich the knowledge about biotechnology at the latter phase of education.
However, in North-East India the scope for biotechnology is very limited, compared to other parts of India where biotechnologists are assimilated in research and developments (R & Ds), industrial sectors, pharmaceuticals and teaching services. This leads to the efflux of young students mainly to other parts of India for pursuing a career in biotechnology, rendering North East India deficient in potential students who could be the assets of North East India in fur future. So, Biotechnology as a subject should be incorporated in high school level only after development of needful in North-East India which will ensure the proper and wise utilization of the upcoming biotechnologists.
Sheuli Kangsa Banik PhD Research Scholar, Dept of Life science & Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar.
