The Hindu : Front Page : Discussion on history books inconclusive

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Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

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Discussion on history books inconclusive

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 14. Consensus eluded the executive committee of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) today over the fate of the history textbooks introduced by the Murli Manohar Joshi dispensation. Emerging out of a three-hour-long meeting here this evening, the Human Resource Development Minister, Arjun Singh, said the discussion was "inconclusive'' and another round of talks would be held next Monday.

Refusing to divulge details about what transpired, Mr. Singh said that most of the members of the executive committee sought more time to thoroughly address the issues involved in changing the textbooks mid-session. Also, he said that it was not possible to rush into a decision on such an issue, particularly given the logistics involved.

While there was a general consensus on the need for continuing with the Class X textbook since all students of schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would be affected by a change of text at this juncture, the Class XII books appear to be the major bone of contention.

In the case of Class X, the executive committee member, Mridula Mukherjee, said the general view was that the history component was negligible in the textbook currently prescribed by the NCERT. Besides, since every student appearing for a CBSE examination had to study the subject, members felt that it was best not to disturb the current set-up.

Though Class XII is also a public examination, some members were not averse to changing the current set-up because history is an optional subject and, therefore, has only limited takers. Some members favoured restoration of the old textbooks — replaced by the NCERT in 2002 — as they fit the National Curriculum Framework for School Education of 2000.According to Ms. Mukherjee, there was unanimity within the Committee on the fact that the books introduced by the NCERT in 2002 should be removed as has been recommended by the three-member panel of historians entrusted with the task of undertaking a quick review of the history textbooks brought out by the previous regime. "That alternative books have to come in this session itself is an imperative, not an option. What we are trying to do is make the change as painless as possible.''

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