January 09, 2002
'8'
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS EXPRESS SOLIDARITY WITH NCERT TEXTBOOK REVISION
Teachers and students from various schools expressed here today solidarity with the government decision on NCERT textbook revision. At a meeting with the Minister for Human Resource Development and Science and Technology Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, they said that this will go a long way in helping understand everything about India’s history in a holistic way. They felt that lightening of their burden, inculcation of value system and knowledge of information technology etc. are in tune with today’s requirements.
Dr. Joshi told them that the revised textbooks will be acceptable to one and all and no scope will be left for any criticism. The exercise is being undertaken by experts with great care and attention, taking into consideration views and suggestions from various sections and quarters. He said all objectionable references, be it religion/leaders will be deleted and new material included to make the books project the true and correct picture in a balanced manner. All these would be done within the ambit of the 1986 education policy, which mandates a review every five years. There was no proper review as required till the government took up a thorough look and that is when, the objectionable references came to light, he said.
Dr. Joshi pointed out that the main object behind the new curriculum and consequent revision of NCERT textbooks, is to lighten the burden of children as also, make them grow up to be knowledged citizens with human outlook. The revolution in information technology,
biotechnology and health care etc. also demand inclusion in the books. As these are not fully Indo-centric with more leanings on western outlook, ancient Indian history need to be incorporated to make them project a correct and balanced picture. For instance, the Minister said that there is no mention of India having given to the world ‘zero’ without which mathematics would be incomplete. In the same way our ancient scholars contribution to astronomy and our own systems of medicine should also find place. The children should also be made to understand that all religions are equal and must be respected equally, the minister averred.