ncert syllabus Archives - Lokmarg

‘Change In NCERT Books Is An Attempt To Brainwash Young Minds’

By LokMarg 19th June 2023

Yogendra Yadav, an eminent political scientist, says the change in NCERT syllabi is an unprecedented assault on not only history textbooks, but also on several other subjects. His views:

Let me be clear. What we are witnessing is a politically-backed cultural assault on the very idea of India. This is the most powerful assault in the last 75 years. Therefore, in order to destroy this idea of India, under the current dispensation, it is absolutely vital to give India a new re-written history.

The business of fighting history is not going to end with 1947’ it has to be enacted beyond 1947. Hence, now, the powers that be are targeting the discipline of political science and other sciences as well. If the young generation is brought up on the ideals of a secular and plural Indian Constitution, they have to first change it to mould the opinion among the young. Hence, the attempt to completely restructure the school textbooks.

We are asked as to why political scientist Suhas Palshikar and I have withdrawn from the current NCERT text books. We were chief advisors to NCERT in 2011 when there was a Congress-led UPA government in Delhi. Even during that time, we resisted any tinkering with textbooks without any rationale. The then education minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, had no defense in the Parliament after an uproar over the issue. Hence, we quit saying there is no point in continuing as advisors. However, let me reteirate, at least it was done in a public and transparent process; a committee was formed headed by an eminent academic, etc.

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This time, since the Narendra Modi-led NDA government has come to power in 2014, they have chosen to make extremely pedestrian and motivated amendments. The last two years particularly have witnessed not just tinkering but actual mutilation of the content in the NCERT school textbooks. Chapter after chapter on the history of Indian democracy, the people’s movements – which, they obviously don’t want the young to study — the role of diversity in a democracy, the role of human rights etc, have been removed. And brazenly so. In fact, the section on the excesses and the authoritarian rule during the Emergency, has been dropped as well.

Major ideological changes have been carried out. Indeed, they might have the copyright, but they certainly don’t have control over our academic ethics and intellectual integrity. Surely – not in our name!

Funnily, they have issued a statement with about 100-plus people, including the current UGC chairman, in defense of the changes being introduced in the NCERT textbooks. Whereas our recent statement opposing the arbitrary changes has 33 eminent political scientists and academics from all over India, I can’t recognize even one political scientist in their list!

As told to Amit Sengupta

‘School Syllabus Isn’t A Holy Book Cast in Stone; It Needs Periodic Revisions’

By LokMarg 7th June 2023

Sarika Kansal, 44, a senior teacher with a reputed school in Greater Noda West, says NCERT syllabi require regular amendments to stay relevant to the changing times. Her views:

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) recently made some changes in the curriculum of certain subjects. These changes have drawn mixed reactions from the academia across the country. While some teachers consider it to be a positive step towards rationalization of school learning, others believe that it may have a negative impact on the students’ overall learning experience.

One of the major changes that have been made in the NCERT syllabus is the reduction in the number of chapters in certain subjects like Science and Social Science. This has been done to make the syllabus more concise, relevant, and easier for the students to follow. I welcome this progressive and holistic change, as I believe that it will help students focus better on the key concepts and principles of these subjects.

Another significant change that has been introduced is the inclusion of chapters on new and relevant topics, such as sustainable development, gender equality, and mental health, in subjects like Civics and Psychology. This change has been drawn positive response from the majority of teachers. I believe that it will help students develop a more inclusive understanding of society and the world around them. It will not only help students become more aware and sensitive to social issues but also enable them to become responsible citizens of the country.

***Kansal welcomes new changes in NCERT syllabi***

Some teachers have raised concerns over the NCERT’s decision to remove certain chapters and topics from the syllabus, as they believe that it would deprive students of an in-depth understanding of the subject matter. Many teachers feel that certain crucial topics must be a part of the curriculum, even if they appear to be complex or challenging, as these topics can help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

ALSO READ: Periodic Table Not Removed, Only Moved To Class IX: NCERT

Some teachers have noted that the NCERT curriculum’s latest changes may lead to an overemphasis on memorizing facts and information, rather than understanding and applying them. They fear that the reduction in the number of chapters may lead to a shift towards learning by rote, which could do more harm than good to students’ learning and development.

I personally believe that education and learning must remain conscious of the new changes being brought in society as well as new advancements in the field of science and technology. School syllabus cannot be a Holy Scripture cast in stone. It has to be revised periodically to suit and serve new realities. Overall, the NCERT’s latest changes in the syllabi are also part of this continuous process of revision.

addition, NCERT is open to feedback and suggestions from teachers and other stakeholders. Those who do not subscribe to the changes brought in can register their differences via media and social media and generate a debate or discussion. This is how academic sector works. Consequently, proper steps need be taken to ensure that the revised curriculum is student-friendly, socially relevant, and effective.

As told to Deepti Sharma

Centre Erasing Mughal History, China Erasing Our Present: Owaisi

By LokMarg 4th April 2023

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday alleged that the Centre is erasing the past by removing Mughal history from the NCERT syllabus while China is erasing our present. He was referring to China renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh.

“On one side, the Modi government is erasing the Mughals from NCERT syllabus, while on the other side, China, with whom PM Modi was shaking hands at G20 Indonesia meeting, is erasing our present,” Owaisi told a press conference.
Owaisi’s barb comes after China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs came up with the names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which it referred to as “Zangnan, the southern part of Tibet.”

Sharpening his attack further, Owaisi said, “This is happening because China knows that the country’s Prime Minister will not take its name, secondly this government does not speak facts, thirdly their [the government’s] response is weak.”

“Based on these three things, China is erasing our present and the government is erasing the Mughals (history),” he reiterated.

However, while responding to China’s attempt of renaming names, the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Tuesday asserted that Arunachal Pradesh will always be an integral part of India.

“India has outrightly rejected China’s attempt to rename places of Arunachal Pradesh,” Arindam Bagchi said.

In response to media queries regarding China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, Arindam Bagchi in a statement said, “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright.”

He further said, “Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality.”

China released names of 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh in Chinese characters, Tibetan and pinyin according to the rules on geographical names issued by the State Council, China’s cabinet, Global Times reported.

The ministry announced the names of 11 places on Sunday and also gave precise coordinates, including two residential areas, five mountain peaks, two rivers and two other areas. China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs also listed the category of places’ names and their subordinate administrative districts, as per the news report.

According to a Global Times report, this is the third batch of geographical names announced by the ministry in Arunachal Pradesh. As per the news report, the first batch of the standardized names of six places was issued in 2017, and the second batch of 15 places was released in 2021.

Earlier, in December last year, the Indian government said that it has seen reports of China attempting to rename some places in Arunachal Pradesh “in its own language” and asserted that the border state has been and will always be an integral part of India.”

In response to a media query on reports that China has renamed some places in Arunachal Pradesh in its own language, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017.

“We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has attempted such a renaming of places in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. China had also sought to assign such names in April 2017,” Bagchi said.

“Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and will always be an integral part of India. Assigning invented names to places in Arunachal Pradesh does not alter this fact,” he added. (ANI)

UP Madrasas To Introduce NCERT Syllabus From 2023

By LokMarg 3rd January 2023

Uttar Pradesh Board of Madrasas has started preparations to provide modern education along with religious instruction, said Iftikhar Ahmed Javed, Madrasa Education Council Chairman on Monday.

The Chairman said, “Madrassa children will also study the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) syllabus this year. Modern education will be given along with religious education.”
In the new academic year, the focus of UP Madrasas will be more on ‘modern’ education.

Iftikhar Ahmed Javed said, “Now Madrasa children will be able to study Computers, Maths, and Science.”

The new syllabus for Madrasas will be released in March.

“Pre-Primary classes such as KG, LKG, and UKG studies will start in March,” said the Chairman. (ANI)