Bengaluru: Textbooks now leaning left?

Bengaluru: The Textbook Revision Committee headed by Dr. Baraguru Ramachandrappa has proposed sweeping changes in the social science textbooks for the next academic year. 

According to sources in the Department of Public Instruction, it wants more detailed lessons on leaders like Tipu Sultan and less mention of some Hindu rulers, no reference to the Vedic period and just passing references to Hindu epics and saints. It has also reportedly opposed glorification of various right wing leaders and their role in the freedom movement.

The committee has suggested religious neutral sentences and special focus on nurturing scientific values among the students, sources reveal.

“You can expect at least 30 to 40 per cent  changes in the new textbooks. More emphasis  has been given to left ideology,” said an officer, adding, “When the BJP government tried to saffronise the textbooks, opposition parties and rationalists said experts were not consulted when finalising the drafts. And now the present textbook revision committee is  making the same mistake. It is not even ready to share the revised textbooks with the department.” 

 Meanwhile, the  education department, which is expecting a controversy over these new textbooks, has suggested translation  of CBSE textbooks into Kannada and releasing them in state schools instead .

“At a meeting on Wednesday the Chief Miniser wanted the textbooks  to be revised based on the recommendations of the Textbook Revision Committee. But we are still trying to persuade the state government to introduce CBSE textbooks in state schools as this will ensure a level playing field for  state students  appearing for  all- India admission tests,” said a senior officer.

Revise books after public consultation: BJP
BJP has opposed the state government move to revise text books for primary and secondary schools from the next academic year (2017-18).  Addressing a media conference here on Thursday, former primary and secondary education minister Vishveshwara Hedge Kageri said that government had decided to review text books alleging ‘saffronisation’ by the previous BJP government. But before revising them, the government should make public the ‘saffronised’ contents of the books, Kageri urged.

Before revising the books, government should also ensure that the revision follows the guidelines laid by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) , the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DCERT) and District Institute of Educational and Trainings (DIET), Kageri said. He questioned whether the government had followed these procedures.

“The state government has formed a committee headed by noted writer Baraguru Ramachandrappa to review the textbooks in 2014. Before the committee could submit its report, the government has agreed to review the text book by next academic year. I urge the state government not to revise the books at this stage, as it will cause confusion and chaos,” Mr Kageri added.

“Without public discussion or hearing, the state government should not review the book. We have revised the text book based on nationality issue and it was endorsed by the NCERT and DCERT. Now NCERT has published 2012 guidelines and Ramachandrappa committee should make it clear whether it goes with latest guidelines of the NCERT or not. The government should announce this to the public,” Kageri said.