Optional NCERT Books In The CBSE Bylaws, Private Publishers Make Hay

Private editors are taking advantage of the confusion that prevails in the educational ecosystem of the tricity about whether textbooks of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) are compulsory in schools or not. Although the 2019-20 academic session has already begun in the schools of the region, the UT department of education or the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) did not clarify the issue.

According to a ruling of the Madras High Court on May 29, 2018, schools affiliated with the CBSE were required to use the NCERT textbooks. However, the board, in its bylaws issued on October 18, 2018, contradicted the order under Section 2.4.7 by saying that "the school may prescribe NCERT textbooks in the classes and subjects in which they have been published by the NCERT. "Special care should be taken in the selection of books by private publishers so that there is no objectionable content that affects the feeling of any class, community, gender or religious group in society." The section also reads, "The school must put a list of prescribed books on its website with the written statement duly signed by the manager and the principal, so that they have reviewed the contents of the books prescribed by the school, and the responsibility."

Manoj Kumar, a father who is a senior court advocate from Punjab and Haryana, said: "In the bylaws, the word" can "makes all the difference, making the NCERT curriculum for schools optional."

The superior court had approved the order in a petition filed by an M Purushothaman to obtain instructions to the CBSE to prescribe NCERT books. The court order had emphasized that "it has every reason to believe that there is a hidden agenda between CBSE officials and private book editors, so even a directive to use only NCERT books is being appealed by CBSE". The court in its order had said: "The CBSE is obliged to follow the NCERT curriculum, which has been prescribed by experts." Following the order, the district education officer (DEO) Anujit Kaur, on September 3, 2018, had written to all directors and directors of all private schools and recognized by the government in Chandigarh for compliance with the order.

Later, on October 5, the department of school education and literacy of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) wrote to all states and UT asking the directions to ensure compliance with the order.

By: Preeti Narula

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