THE CONTEXT: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently revised its Class 12 Political Science textbook, omitting crucial details about the Babri Masjid demolition, Gujarat riots, and other significant events in India’s contemporary history. The NCERT director’s justification for these omissions raises concerns about presenting a sanitized version of history and undermining the objective of enhancing critical thinking among students.
THE ISSUES:
- Sanitization of Historical Events: NCERT is criticized for sanitizing historical events by omitting references to significant and controversial incidents such as the Gujarat riots and the Babri Masjid demolition. This approach is seen as an attempt to present a sanitized version of history that avoids uncomfortable facts and fraught moments, essential for understanding the nation’s journey and socio-political landscape.
- Impact on Critical Thinking: The revisions contradict the National Education Policy’s (NEP) objective of enhancing critical thinking among students. By removing contentious historical events, the NCERT is perceived to be depriving students of the opportunity to engage with complex and vital aspects of contemporary history, which are crucial for developing a nuanced understanding of the past and its impact on the present.
- Selective Omission and Bias: There are concerns about selective omission and potential bias in the curriculum. The NCERT’s decision to omit specific riots and events while retaining others is seen as an attempt to shape the narrative in a particular direction. This selective approach raises questions about the objectivity and comprehensiveness of the educational content provided to students.
- Influence of Political and Ideological Agendas: The revisions are perceived to be influenced by political and ideological agendas, particularly those of the ruling dispensation. The removal of references to the BJP’s rath yatra, the role of kar sevaks, and the communal violence following the Babri Masjid demolition, among other changes, is seen as an effort to align the curriculum with the current political narrative and downplay events that could be politically sensitive.
- Erosion of Historical Accuracy and Integrity: It is argued that the NCERT’s revisions undermine the historical accuracy and integrity of the textbooks. The revisions risk distorting students’ understanding of history by omitting key details and altering the narrative of significant events. This erosion of historical accuracy is seen as detrimental to the educational process and the development of informed and critically thinking citizens.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Incorporate Comprehensive Historical Context: National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 emphasizes the importance of teaching history to help students understand the present and prepare for the future. It suggests that history education should include multiple perspectives and critical events to foster a comprehensive understanding of the past. Reintroduce detailed accounts of significant historical events, including the Gujarat riots and the Babri Masjid demolition, in a balanced manner.
- Enhance Critical Thinking Skills: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 stresses the need for education to enhance students’ critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Develop curriculum modules that encourage students to engage with historical events critically. This can include debates, discussions, and projects that require students to analyze different sources and perspectives.
- Consult Diverse Expert Panels: NCERT’s 19-member Panel for Textbook Revision, comprised of experts from various domains, aims to ensure that textbooks are comprehensive and inclusive. Ensure that the revision process involves a diverse group of historians, educators, and social scientists who can provide balanced and well-rounded perspectives on historical events. This can help mitigate biases and ensure that the curriculum is inclusive.
- Transparent Revision Process: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education advocates for transparency and accountability in the textbook revision process. Make the revision process transparent by publicly sharing the criteria and rationale for changes. This can include publishing detailed reports on the revisions and the expert opinions that informed them.
- Include Contemporary Issues: NCERT rationalization exercise aimed at reducing the content load while ensuring that essential topics are covered. While reducing content load, ensure that contemporary issues and significant historical events are not omitted. Instead, streamline the content to focus on key events and their implications, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education.
THE CONCLUSION:
Textbooks shape young minds and foster critical engagement with a nation’s seminal events and democratic processes. The NCERT’s erasures and silences, coupled with the director’s justifications, risk infantilizing learners and depriving them of a comprehensive understanding of India’s complex past. A robust education system demands that textbooks remain current with the latest research and scholarly debates, enabling students to grapple with uncomfortable truths and develop a nuanced perspective on history.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
Q. National Education Policy 2020 conforms with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. 2020
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. Critically analyze the implications of omission of critical events in NCERT textbooks on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objective of enhancing critical thinking among students. Discuss the role of textbooks in shaping students’ understanding of contemporary history and democratic processes.
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