Tamil Nadu: In a first, higher secondary books in colour

Chennai: Colourful illustrations, attractive images, bigger fonts and uniformity in appearance are to be the hallmark of new textbooks to be printed under the new syllabus. Along with the syllabus revision, the curriculum framework committee has decided to bring major changes in new textbooks such as bringing out books for all classes in colour and increasing the importance of images in books and introducing age-appropriate font size.

“The new textbooks for primary classes will have colourful illustrations and bigger fonts whereas the secondary textbooks will have colourful images to make the contents more attractive. The e-books for higher secondary classes will have videos of important experiments so that the students themselves can understand the subjects by watching them,” a member of the curriculum framework committee said.

At present, the textbooks for classes 11 and 12 are being printed in black and white. The colourful books with attractive images are expected to kindle the interest of students. The books for the secondary and higher secondary classes will have snippets in which students will be introduced to important concepts. They also will have details of external resources. 

“We are going to bring out textbooks which are going to be visually and functionally attractive to the children. The books will be printed on high-quality paper using specialised printing technology,” said M. Anandakrishnan, chairman, the Tamil Nadu Curriculum Framework Committee. Currently, the committee is concentrating on getting content ready for textbooks for classes 1, 6, 9 and 11 which will have revised syllabus from next academic year (2018-19). 

“The writing of textbooks is yet to begin. We are in the process of finalising the syllabus and curriculum,” said. The committee is also planning to introduce talking books for visually challenged children. Usually, the textbooks design and printing will be undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Textbooks and Educational Services Corporation.

“This time the curriculum committee has decided to keep the designing and development of textbooks with itself. As per their guidance, the textbook corporation will print the new books,” sources said. “The new books for classes 1 to 12 will have uniformity in appearance,” they said. After enriching the contents, the new textbooks can also serve as the resource material for students who prepare for the competitive exams.

• The new textbooks for primary classes will have colourful illustrations and bigger fonts 
• Textbooks for secondary classes to have colourful images and age-appropriate fonts
• The higher secondary textbooks will be printed in colour for the first time. At  present, the textbooks for classes 11 and 12 are being printed in black and white
• The proposed E-books for higher secondary classes will have video contents explaining key experiments
• Talking books for visually challenged students also likely to be introduced.