As the 2024-25 academic year draws near, it appears that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is preparing to introduce new textbooks, primarily targeting Classes 3 and 6 for updates.
Information from sources within the Ministry of Education (MoE) suggests that the NCERT is focusing on releasing new textbooks for Class 3 and 6 in the upcoming academic year. Textbooks for Classes 1 and 2 have already been launched, aligning with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and National Education Policy 2020.
TEXTBOOK DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURE
The development of new textbooks follows a meticulous process, commencing with initial content drafting. Presently, drafts for Class 3 textbooks covering subjects such as English, Hindi, Urdu, Maths, and Environmental Studies (EVS) are undergoing proofreading, editing, and NCERT vetting.
Similarly, drafts for Class 6 textbooks encompassing subjects like Maths, Science, and languages are in the final stages of preparation.
The timeline for textbook development is stringent, with editors instructed to expedite proofreading to ensure timely publication and distribution.
Considering the March deadline for publishing and distribution, there is a concerted effort to accelerate the proofreading process, with editors tasked to review entire textbooks within a span of two to three days.
Despite initial plans to release textbooks for all classes, it seems unlikely that textbooks for all grades will be available for the 2024-25 academic year.
The NCERT has hinted that textbooks for Classes 6, 9, and 11 may be the next focus, with subsequent releases for Classes 7, 10, and 12 in the following academic year.
CLARITY ON CLASS 6 CURRICULUM
While Class 6 textbook development is ongoing, there is some uncertainty regarding the structure of certain subjects.
Specifically, there is a possibility of consolidating History, Geography, and Political Science into a single textbook on Social Science. However, the final decision on this matter awaits the submission of drafts for evaluation.
EVOLUTION AND CHANGES IN NCERT TEXTBOOKS
In the 1990s, NCERT introduced its first set of textbooks. Subsequently, between 2002 and 2004, during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA government, a second generation of textbooks emerged, which faced criticism for perceived alignment with Hindu nationalist ideology.
This generation depicted Muslim rulers as “invaders” and depicted the medieval Islamic era as casting a “dark shadow” over earlier Hindu-led empires.
Following controversy over textbook “saffronisation” and a change in government in 2004, a third generation of textbooks was developed from 2006 to 2008 under the Congress-led coalition government.
In 2014, with the NDA’s return to power, a review prompted the first round of revisions, incorporating references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schemes and other additions.
