Students in India, who opt for science stream after reaching Eleventh standard are offered two-year chemistry course. This includes both class room teaching and laboratory experiments. During this two year period, they learn important topics of different branches of Chemistry. Examinations are held at the end of Eleventh and Twelfth standard. Most of the examinations test memorising ability than analytical thinking.  One of the most important goals of teaching is to nurture innovation and creativity. Unfortunately, this is missing in the present method of teaching in Indian schools.However, there is a bright exception. Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) have gained international reputation for their rigorous selection process and excellent teaching method which convert these young students to bright, analytical, innovative engineers. The majority of engineers who have passed out of IIT occupy top positions in industry and teaching in India and abroad. Many of the students in India who opt for science aspire to get admission in IITs. In 2013,   1.4 million students competed for 9885 seats available. The questions set in IIT entrance examination evaluates the understanding of basic concepts, analytical and innovative thinking. Memorising does not help.In India, there are a number of private Institutes who uses different methodology to impart conceptual knowledge, encourage lateral thinking, enhance problem solving skills and make them ready to crack IIT entrance examination in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Subsequently, similar approach is taken when the students study engineering courses including chemical engineering in IIT. It is therefore no wonder that many of these students are occupying top positions all over the globe.Details will be discussed.

Best practices in Chemistry teaching in India: A case study

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.