Question : Changes in School Textbooks

(a) whether the Government proposes with deletions and changes in school textbooks across the board purportedly, to reduce the load on school students who have suffered a loss of learning due to extended shutdowns during the novel coronavirus pandemic and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is currently undertaking a series of curricular changes with new Curricular Framework, which will direct the syllabi of Central and State Education Boards;

(c) if so, the details thereof/progress made thereto, class- wise; and

(d) whether there is overwhelming emphasis on the need to rewrite history textbooks, to remove unhistorical facts and distortions about national heroes and if so the details thereof/present status thereof, Class-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

(SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a): In the context of the Pandemic- COVID-19 situation, student across the stages of school education struggled a lot to continue their learning through online and other modes. Also, concerns related to curriculum load including the content load spread over syllabi and textbooks were raised from different corners. Even Parliamentary Standing Committee also raised the concerns about the content overload in the textbooks.
As an interim measure before the new textbooks are brought out, following the new Curriculum Framework, NCERT took a step towards the rationalization of its syllabi and textbooks that are generally used in CBSE affiliated schools, in all subjects, for the next year across the school stages.
(b) and (c): The process for the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) has already been initiated. The position papers on twenty-five themes related to school education have been prepared. Once finalized it will give direction to the development of Syllabus and Textbooks across the school stages.
(d): The Department of Education in Social Sciences, NCERT before sending textbooks for reprint undertakes a quick review of suggestions received from various stakeholders from time to time. With regard to National Heroes, the Department has received requests from various individuals and organization to give more space to their lives and achievements. However, Department hasn''t received observation with regard to unhistorical facts and distortions about any national hero.
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