In a significant development in the ongoing controversy over the State Government making it compulsory for all CBSE private schools in Uttarakhand to prescribe only NCERT books, the State Education Minister Arvind Pandey has stated that he is ready to allow private schools to prescribe books of private publishers in subjects for which there are no NCERT books available if the price of these additional books is equivalent to that of NCERT books.

This is important as principals and management of private CBSE schools opposing the government order state that since from classes I to V, NCERT has only three subjects-- English, Hindi and mathematics-- a Government order making it compulsory to prescribe only NCERT books would lead to the removal of other important subjects from the school curriculum affecting the learning of students.

“Private CBSE schools can teach subjects other than English, Hindi and maths in primary classes and prescribe books of private publishers for these additional subjects but for this schools first need to submit to the state education department a list of the books being prescribed with their prices.

Our condition is that the price of these books should match the price of NCERT books. The intent of the Government is in public interest and is aimed at stopping the malpractice of selling highly priced school textbooks,” said Pandey. Responding to the contention that the content of NCERT books is outdated and awaiting revision for 10 years, the education minister accepted this and stated, “Teachers can make in-classroom corrections of these few errors and I would like to clarify that the revision of NCERT books even for primary classes is ongoing and soon we shall have revised editions.

The NCERT books have been written by renowned academicians of the country. I also believe that during primary classes children should be encouraged to play and indulge in physical activities instead of being burdened by excessive books and rote learning. It is with this in mind that I discourage having too many books for children especially in junior classes. However we are not stopping private schools from teaching additional useful subjects at basic level like art, moral science and general knowledge.”

Asked as to why was the state government being discriminatory by making NCERT books compulsory only in CBSE affiliated schools while leaving ICSE schools out of the mandate’s ambit, Pandey conveyed that he was treading cautiously to make sure that no unwarranted controversies were stirred up and that soon even ICSE schools will be ordered to prescribe only NCERT books.

He said, “NCERT books will be made compulsory in ICSE affiliated schools in Uttarakhand also in some time.

We are doing it first in CBSE schools because there are sensitive matters that have to be considered. Our only intention is to put an end to the nexus between private publishers and school owners to fleece parents by prescribing expensive books. Till the time I am the education minister of Uttarakhand, I shall not allow this to happen.”

Meanwhile the management of CBSE affiliated private schools in Uttarakhand continues to oppose the state government order asserting that it will hurt the interest of children.

The key arguments being given by the schools against the order are that the content of primary school NCERT books is substandard and will lead to a dip in the learning level and all round development of children. “We are not opposing NCERT books, but we are against making them compulsory exclusively.

These books were written in 2006-2008 and have not been revised yet. For example, the Indian value of major global currencies are all wrong as printed in these books, not only this but also information given about different Indian currency notes is wrong as it includes demonetised currency. Why should we give books to our children that have incorrect informationIJ let us take the case of English and Hindi. In NCERT there is no separate grammar and practically no comprehension and composition. How do we teach a language to children without teaching them proper grammarIJ The standard of a class VIII NCERT book matches that of a class III book that we have been teaching. Also, the National Curriculum Framework Code, 2005 categorically mentions that no one publisher can be recommended as compulsory to any school,” said Chaya Khanna, president of Sarvodya School Complex, an association of 56 CBSE schools.

Managing director of Doon International School, Gagan Mann asserted, “If the government feels that school owners are opposing this order to make money through commission by selling books, then why does the government not pass an Act regulating the selling price of all school textbooks for Uttarakhand and putting a cap on thisIJ

 Our concern is the quality of education that we provide in our schools. There is a large number of parents who feel that the money they spend on their child’s education is an investment that they are making in the future of their child. Then why should these parents be forced to compromise on the quality of education of the childrenIJ So low is the content standard of NCERT books that those books will be finished in just two months.

 If only NCERT books are prescribed exclusively for our primary school classes, then out of our 75 teachers we shall have to terminate around 50 as there will be no need for these additional teachers because of the low level of content of these books.”

A senior officer of CBSE clarified that while the CBSE does not prohibit private schools affiliated with it to use books of private publishers, it does have a requirement that every such school should certify in writing that there is nothing objectionable in the content being taught to the students and that the school takes responsibility for the propriety of these books