A group of distinguished academicians, including vice-chancellors of central universities, NIT directors, and IIM chairpersons, have voiced their apprehensions regarding certain individuals who have withdrawn their names from the controversy surrounding NCERT textbooks. This bold move by some individuals, whom they consider arrogant and self-interested, is causing disruptions in the process of updating the curriculum.
Several academicians and notable political scientists, such as Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar, who were members of the textbook development committee at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), have requested the council to remove their names from the textbooks due to "substantial revisions of the original texts."
Allegations Against NCERT: A joint statement issued by 73 academicians on Thursday night accuses certain elements of deliberately defaming the NCERT over the past three months, reflecting the "intellectual arrogance" of academicians who advocate for students to study outdated textbooks that are seventeen years old.
The statement emphasizes that the scholars suggesting changes in the textbooks have not proposed any fundamental shifts in the existing domain of knowledge. Instead, they have rationalized the course content to align with contemporary knowledge requirements. It argues that each new generation has the right to contribute additions or deletions to the existing knowledge base.
The NCERT, in response, asserts that disassociating anyone from the development process is out of the question as textbooks at the school level are a result of collective knowledge and understanding. Individual authorship is never claimed during any stage of the process.
The joint statement counters the academicians seeking media attention through the withdrawal spectacle, highlighting that textbooks are the outcome of collective intellectual engagement and rigorous efforts. It criticizes their attempt to hinder the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and disrupt the update of NCERT textbooks. The demand to retain outdated textbooks instead of utilizing updated ones that align with contemporary developments and pedagogical advancements reveals intellectual arrogance, according to the statement.
The statement also accuses the academicians of jeopardizing the future of millions of children across the country in their pursuit of furthering their political agenda. While students eagerly await updated textbooks, these academicians continue to create obstacles and derail the entire process.
The controversy surrounding the removal of several topics and portions from NCERT textbooks last month drew criticism, with opposition parties accusing the BJP-led Centre of engaging in "whitewashing with vengeance." At the center of the controversy lies the fact that while the changes made as part of the rationalization exercise were notified, some of the controversial deletions were not mentioned. This led to allegations of surreptitious deletion of these portions.
Although the NCERT acknowledged that the omissions in the textbooks may have been unintentional, they declined to reverse the deletions. The NCERT clarified that the removals were based on recommendations provided by experts.
The concerns raised by academicians regarding the NCERT textbook row highlight the ongoing debate surrounding curriculum updation. It is crucial to strike a balance between preserving existing knowledge and incorporating new insights to cater to the evolving needs of students. The collaboration between academicians and policymakers is necessary to ensure the development of comprehensive and relevant educational resources for the nation.
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