Premium
This is an archive article published on March 3, 2023

State board textbooks of classes III to X to include blank pages

According to Kesarkar, this initiative ensures that students do not have to carry separate notebooks in school bags, thereby reducing its weight.

School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, last September, had announced the initiative with an aim to reduce the weight of schoolbags. (Express Photo)School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, last September, had announced the initiative with an aim to reduce the weight of schoolbags. (Express Photo)
Listen to this article
State board textbooks of classes III to X to include blank pages
x
00:00
1x 1.5x 1.8x

Textbooks of Maharashtra State Board from classes III to X from include blank pages from the 2023-24 academic year, the school education department said in a government resolution (GR) on Thursday.

As per the new plan, after every chapter, one or two blank pages will be added in the textbooks under the title of “my notes”.

The GR said that all subjects will be integrated into four textbooks meant for four semesters. The idea is to ensure that students carry only one textbook per semester. The GR, citing increase in the cost of paper, also indicated that there will be an increase in the overall cost of textbooks.

As the initiative will begin with textbooks provided by the government to its own schools; the GR said, “If it works in favor of students and if there is demand, the initiative will be extended to all textbooks printed by Balbharati, the state textbook bureau, so that these will be made available in open market.”

School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, last September, had announced the initiative with an aim to reduce the weight of schoolbags.

According to Kesarkar, this initiative ensures that students do not have to carry separate notebooks in school bags, thereby reducing its weight.

“For children coming to government-run schools, where we distribute textbooks for free, the notebooks too will be included in the textbooks,” he had said.

Story continues below this ad

But this plan has been criticised by educationists. A senior teacher from Mumbai said, “Compared to a regular use of notebooks, the two pages given in textbooks are not going to be adequate. Students will end up carrying separate notebooks. The GR also states that there can be separate notebooks for homework and other tasks.” Another teacher said, “It is common practice for younger siblings or following batches to reuse the textbooks. Now, by adding blank pages, these textbooks cannot be reused anymore.”

Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting. Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive: Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses). Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers. Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis). Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students. Credentials & Trustworthiness Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized. Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families. She tweets @Pallavi_Smart ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Loading Taboola...
Advertisement