HSC board needs a Socrates

Outraged by the ignorance sought to be fed to students, the Forum for English Language TeachersFELT has petitioned the state government, asking it to direct the board to update the English textbook, which is used in the Arts, Commerce and Science faculties in junior colleges across the state.

Prof Nagesh Havanur, from Hinduja College, Charni Road, and a member of FELT, told Express Newsline the organisation has compiled a list of errors and forwarded it to Minister of State for Education Anil Deshmukh. They also met him on May 12 and June 2. 8220;He offered to seek a response from the HSC board and hold a joint meeting at a later date,8221; says FELT President, K G K Kurup, who is also principal of Patuck Technical High School and Junior College, Santacruz. Confirming this, Deshmukh told Express Newsline: 8220;I shall send a letter to the Board of Studies, asking its views on the material FELT has submitted to me.8221;

Remarks Hanavur: 8220;We live in the Information Age. The world around us is constantly being transformed. How can the textbook be removed from the reality of this change,8221; asksHanavur as he scrutises the flawed second year junior college English textbook as well. He elaborates: In Unit Four, Hobbies and Interests8217;, author C T Philip contradicts himself. The chapter states that employment prospects for students of art in India are not bright p 66. But, Hanavur says, the text adds that this is not true in the sphere of applied art. 8220;A number of avenues such as graphics, textile design, interior decoration, art photography have opened up in various fields. Besides, there are other opportunities in mass media such as television, video films and advertising, the book points out,8221; he adds.

In the chapter Gift of Language8217;, author J G Bruton claims that birds are incapable of expressing complex emotions as their range of sounds is limited p 72. Scientists have spent decades, and are still decoding myriad variations of their sounds. They have sufficient evidence to suggest that birds are capable of deep emotion and expressing subtle shades of meaning,8221; he says.

Now for thebiggest irony of all. In the chapter He Taught Us All To Think8217; by Max Eastman on Socrates, the textbook says the Greek philosopher was 8220;the evangelist of clear thinking8221; and extols his power of reasoning pgs 87-88. However, Havanur points out, this time-honoured opinion on Socrates was decisively reversed by a re-examination of history and reassessment of Socratic ideas in 1989, six years before our text including the present chapter was published.

8220;Aren8217;t our students entitled to know what the whole debate on Socrates is about today? In the absence of answers to such serious questions students are forced to accept the confusion and contradictions of the present essay on Socrates in the book,8221; said Havanur. Update on Socrates or not, the debate the Board of Studies has since generated has indeed done the evangelist of clear thinking8217; proud.

Plan of Action

FELT, a four-year-old organisation of junior college English teachers, has devised a plan called Education 20018242; on the basis ofrecomendations from captains of industry, commerce, technology and other professions, which it has submitted to the government for consideration. The plan includes English 20018242;, a pilot project on the basis of which proposes to prepare junior college English textbooks for the government to publish.

Currently, textbooks for junior college are edited by the Board of Studies and published by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Pune.