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Geology and Geography (geomorphology) are integral constituents of geoscience. In India, geography is being taught in school since beginning. But geology (geosciences) discipline was introduced in school education curriculum in 1986 through National Policy of Education. Policy had suggested that science should be taught in upper primary classes ( V ? VIII) as physics, chemistry, biology, geology and astronomy. Geology was included in curriculum of class V with physics and biology. In the lower secondary classes, physics, chemistry, biology and geology were taught as compulsory subjects for all the pupils. There are also many areas in chemistry, physics and biology to which certain topics in the study of earth sciences are naturally related. At the higher secondary stage, three electives from the science group consisting of physics, chemistry, biology, geology and mathematics were proposed. Though flexibility and combinations of streams, like physics and chemistry with subject like economics from humanities was also encouraged. Subsequent modifications in curriculum were adopted through National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) in 2000 & 2005. In a major pedagogical deviation, all science subjects but geosciences were integrated and renamed as Science and Technology. Contents of geosciences were withdrawn from science course. In the senior secondary level, only two boards of secondary education out-of twenty-seven in India, offer geology subject. It is included in both, humanities and science streams. But it had received a poor response. Less than hundred students opted geology in 2007. On the contrary, geography is compulsorily taught in Upper Primary. Though it was brought under the gambit of social sciences in upper primary classes by NCFSE. Contents of geoscience didn't exceed 25% in geography in upper primary class. Only exception was Class XI, where it exceeded 50%. Geography is a popular subject in senior secondary and about 46000 students opted it in the examination held in March 2007, conducted by leading Indian board of school examination, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Astonishingly, 96.40% examinees passed out.
In the present paper, contents of geoscience in school curriculum are analyzed. Response of students to geology in senior secondary level is studied in depth. Need for integration of geology & geography (geomorphology) into geoscience discipline is discussed. In Delhi, a city of more than 10 million people, merely 60 & 300 seats are available in for geology and geography graduate school course respectively. Reasons for apathy to geosciences and a synoptic view on intake of students in geology and geography in graduate courses in various metro cities are also presented. Measures for popularization of geoscience especially among children and academician are suggested.
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