The Hindu : CBSE distancing itself from NCERT textbooks at secondary level?

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Tuesday, Apr 09, 2002

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CBSE distancing itself from NCERT textbooks at secondary level?

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 8. With the Supreme Court staying the publication and marketing of the new textual material for Social Science subjects and Hindi, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) appears to have distanced itself from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks in these subjects at the secondary level.

As per a circular issued to its affiliate institutions on March 26 — four days after the Supreme Court, in its order in the public interest litigation against the NCERT's new curriculum, allowed the Council to publish and market textbooks for all subjects except Social Sciences and Hindi — the CBSE has said it would continue with the existing syllabi of Hindi and Social Science for another year for Classes IX and X.

As per the circular, in the case of Hindi and Social Sciences — which includes the subject of controversy, History — "the syllabi prescribed for March 2003 examinations is being continued for March 2004 examinations also''.

While issuing the circular, the Board also informed the schools that a separate circular would be issued with regard to the senior secondary level curriculum.

The circular was issued five days ahead of the start of the new academic year as it is mandatory for the Board to provide schools with the syllabi for students appearing for public examinations two years in advance.

In the case of the remaining subjects for Classes IX and X, the CBSE has decided to "adopt/adapt (with modifications wherever necessary)'' the new curriculum prepared by the NCERT.

This being so, the CBSE-affiliated schools would use textual materials prepared by the NCERT.Though the Supreme Court order pertained to all classes, the CBSE has apparently decided to await further directions from the Court before finalising its position on the senior secondary school curriculum — particularly vis-a-vis Social Sciences and Hindi.

According to the CBSE chairman, Ashok Ganguly, the senior secondary curriculum would be required only after the Class X results are out.

Even as a decision is awaited on the fate of the Social Sciences and Hindi syllabi for Classes XI and XII, the CBSE has informed the NCERT that it would continue with the established practice of recommending selection of textbooks prepared by private publishers in addition to those brought out by the Council for these two classes.

But for History the CBSE has not recommended any private publication.

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