Opp rips NCERT framework apart

The Opposition today again rejected the National Curriculum Framework for schools and sought a review of the NCERT8217;s social science tex...

The Opposition today again rejected the National Curriculum Framework for schools and sought a review of the NCERT8217;s social science textbook that blanks out Mahatma Gandhi8217;s assassination.

8216;8216;We unanimously decided that the National Curriculum Framework is to be rejected. None of the states where secular governments are in power will introduce the NCERT books that give a distorted view of the freedom struggle,8217;8217; CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan said after a meeting of Opposition leaders.

Joshi shrugs as NCERT goofs up on Gandhi8217;s assassination

New Delhi: Contemporary Indian history as presented by the NCERT in the new social science textbook for Class IX misses out on Mahatma Gandhi8217;s assassination. The Opposition is up in arms over the omission but HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi finds nothing amiss.

8216;8216;I have not seen the books. But I leave it to those who write the books and the teachers to decide what should be included and what should be taught. If they feel this is the right perspective, so be it. The issue is between the NCERT and the writers,8217;8217; Joshi said.

His reply came while updating the media on the 8216;8216;re-orientation8217;8217; in the country8217;s education and science 038; technology under the NDA government. Citing the Supreme Court verdict which went in the Government8217;s favour, Joshi said: 8216;8216;It has already been decided that what we have done is right.8217;8217; Brushing aside the Opposition8217;s criticism of NCERT and the National Curriculum Framework, he said, 8216;8216;It is politically motivated. We are constructive, they are destructive.8217;8217; 8212;ENS

The leaders also appealed to NDA partners, especially the TDP and BJD, to reject the curriculum and textbooks 8216;8216;imposed8217;8217; by the Centre. 8216;8216;These books and curriculum will harm our national interest. Besides, it will be an additional burden on the children if new books are introduced six months after the academic session has started,8217;8217; Bardhan said.

Congress leader Manmohan Singh said: 8216;8216;Sonia Gandhi has instructed them Congress governments to review the books and the curriculum. Most of them have appointed review committees.8217;8217;

Story continues below this ad

Lok Janshakti leader and former NDA ally Ram Villas Paswan said: 8216;8216;The BJP government is not even sparing the students. They are using school textbooks and education to develop a distorted understanding of religion.8217;8217;

Paswan also charged the Government with appointing people close to the RSS in key positions at universities and educational institutions.

Demanding that the books be 8216;8216;withdrawn and reviewed8217;8217;, Bardhan said the Central Advisory Board on Education CABE has to be reconstituted. 8216;8216;Since, its inception in 1935, CABE has been consulted on educational matters by every Government, except the NDA,8217;8217; he said.

Today8217;s meeting, he said, decided to organise a national convention on saffronisation of education in Delhi in the last week of November to be followed by conventions in state capitals.