The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Textbook not revised yet, alleges Chennithala

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Textbook not revised yet, alleges Chennithala

Special Correspondent

Wants punitive action against its authors

Says Minister has not examined report of Congress’ panel
‘Baby’s negligence a challenge to Kerala society’

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala has criticised Education Minister M.A. Baby for not taking punitive action against the authors of the controversial class VII social science textbook and going back on his promise to examine the report of an expert committee formed by the Congress to examine the book.

In a letter to the Minister here on Saturday, Mr. Chennithala said Mr. Baby’s promise to publish a revised textbook based on the recommendations of the government-appointed expert committee remained on paper. The Minister’s gross negligence on a matter affecting 4,98,540 students studying in class VII was a challenge to Kerala society.

“You will have to pay a heavy price for your decision to go ahead disregarding the massive agitations by various organisations,” he said.

The general education sector was in the doldrums as a result of the Minister’s impractical reforms, stubbornness and an undemocratic approach.

The biggest pointer to his failure was the fact that more than 80,000 students had migrated from the State stream to other streams of education.

He urged the Minister to re-examine his reforms in the general and higher education sectors.

Mr. Baby should ensure that the members of bodies for syllabus reforms and curriculum revision were selected in an impartial way and experts were inducted into them.

Mr. Chennithala urged Mr. Baby to avoid allegations that he was being influenced by leaders of some teachers’ organisations and ruling front unions.

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