Table of Contents
THE CONTEXT: The recent revisions made by the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) to history, sociology, and political science textbooks for classes 6-12 in India are marred by conspicuous intentions. They raise concerns about the politicization of textbook content, deletions of crucial information, and promotion of a particular ideological narrative. The revisions undermine the principles of objectivity, diversity, and critical thinking in education.
ISSUES:
- Politicization of Textbooks: The textbooks are used as a medium for political communication and a battleground of competing ideologies, with the ruling party allegedly promoting its political ideology in the NCERT textbooks.
- Syllabus Rationalization and Deletions: The syllabus rationalization exercise carried out by the NCERT has resulted in the deletion of several chapters and sections, including those on the Emergency, the Cold War, the Naxalite movement, the Industrial Revolution, and references to Dalit writer Omprakash Valmiki.
- Historical Revisionism: The deletion of content on India’s Muslim rulers, including the Mughal Empire, and the removal of references to Mahatma Gandhi’s unpopularity among Hindu extremists and the ban imposed on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the aftermath of his assassination, are seen as politically motivated.
- Reduction of Social Science Content: The removal of complete chapters on ‘Democracy and Diversity’, ‘Popular Struggles and Movements’, and ‘Challenges to Democracy’ from Class 10, and sections of Class 12 topics such as ‘The Story of Indian Democracy’, ‘Social Movements’, and ‘Patterns of Social Inequality’ are seen as a reduction of social science content.
- Lack of Transparency and Consultation: The undisclosed deletions related to Mahatma Gandhi and the Gujarat Riots and the lack of clarity on the decision-making process behind these deletions raise concerns about transparency and consultation in the textbook revision process.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Establishing a transparent and inclusive textbook review process: A transparent and inclusive textbook review process can be established involving a diverse group of experts, educators, and stakeholders. This process can ensure that the textbooks are free from political bias and reflect the latest research and knowledge.
- Incorporating diverse perspectives and voices: To address historical revisionism and the reduction of social science content, diverse perspectives and voices, including those of marginalized communities and social movements, can be incorporated. This can help students understand the complexities and diversities of Indian society and history.
- Promoting critical thinking and analysis: To address the lack of transparency and consultation, critical thinking and analysis can be promoted. This can encourage students to question the information presented in the textbooks and seek multiple sources. This can help students develop critical thinking skills and become more informed and engaged citizens.
- Providing teacher training and support: To ensure that the textbooks are used effectively in the classroom, teacher training and support can be provided, including training on how to teach controversial topics and promote critical thinking and analysis.
- Encouraging public participation and feedback: To ensure that the textbooks reflect the community’s needs and perspectives, public involvement and feedback, including public hearings and consultations, can be encouraged. This can help ensure that the books are relevant and meaningful to students and educators.
THE CONCLUSION:
The NCERT’s textbook revisions betray the hopes raised by the National Education Policy (NEP) and its ideologically agnostic approach to education reform. Classrooms must provide a grounding in objectivity while alerting students to social complexities, diversities, conflicts, and inequities. The country’s foremost textbook framing body should enable this process, not hinder it with politically motivated revisions.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
Q.1 National Education Policy 2020 conforms with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the Indian education system. Critically examine the statement. 2020
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Critically examine the recent revisions made to NCERT textbooks for classes 6-12, particularly in history, sociology, and political science. Discuss the implications of these revisions on the quality of education and the development of critical thinking among students.
SOURCE:
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ahead-of-2024-polls-a-gender-manifesto-9256980/
Spread the Word