Many of the ‘objectionable’ contents or mistakes in primary and high school textbooks are likely to remain in for the next academic year.
For the last two years, experts and the Committee for Resisting Saffronisation of Textbooks in Karnataka, an NGO, have been pointing out mistakes in textbooks.
On Thursday, members of the new textbook committees met here to discuss the revision of books. As many as 171 members have been appointed for the textbook committees and they will revise 352 titles in seven mediums.
“While some changes have been made and will be reflected in the next academic year, a majority of the changes that are being sought will be reflected only in 2016–17,” a source in Karnataka Textbook Society said.
Several committee members acknowledged that there were glaring errors and attempts to ‘saffronise’ the textbooks. A science textbook committee member said there were attempts to associate science with mythological ideas which had no scientific evidence.
“The new textbook committees were formed in December and the old committees’ term ended in March last. So we have tried to correct as many mistakes as possible. The complete revision of textbooks will be done for the 2016–17 academic year,” a source said.
During the inauguration of the meeting, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar said, “Textbooks should ensure the values enshrined in our Constitution. Sentiments of any community or religion should not be hurt.” The textbooks should be prepared keeping the National Curriculum Framework in mind, he added.
Complete revision to be done for 2016–17
