'False narrative': HRD minister on row over exclusion of some topics from CBSE syllabus
HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that there has been a lot of uninformed commentary on the exclusion of some topics from the CBSE syllabus for Classes 9 to 12 for the 2020-21 session and requested to "leave politics out of education". "The problem with these comments is that they resort to sensationalism by connecting topics selectively to portray a false narrative," he said.
Union HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' NEW DELHI: Union HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said on Thursday that there has been a lot of uninformed commentary on the exclusion of some topics from the CBSE syllabus for Classes 9 to 12 for the 2020-21 session and requested to "leave politics out of education" .
The comments by the minister came following a controversy over the reduction of syllabus by the CBSE due to the Covid-19 situation, with the opposition alleging that chapters on India's democracy and plurality are being "dropped" to propagate a particular ideology.
"The problem with these comments is that they resort to sensationalism by connecting topics selectively to portray a false narrative," the minister said in a series of tweets.
As CBSE has clarified, schools have been advised to follow the NCERT Alternate Academic Calendar, and all the topics mentioned have been covered under the same Academic Calendar. The exclusions are merely a 1-time measure for exams, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
"It is our humble request that education is our sacred duty towards our children. Let us leave politics out of education and make our politics more educated," the minister added.
A controversy erupted on Wednesday over the reduction of syllabus by the CBSE due to the Covid-19 situation, with the Opposition alleging that chapters on India's democracy and plurality are being "dropped" to propagate a particular ideology, but the board insisted it is a one-time measure for this academic year only and is not restricted to a particular subject as is being projected by some.
There was mixed response from various stakeholders as several school representatives welcomed the move to reduce the course load on children, while a section of academicians said it appeared to be ideologically driven. Some others said it would affect the quality of education and will work against students, especially who have to appear in entrance exams.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had announced that it had rationalised the syllabus for Classes 9 to 12 for the 2020-21 session by up to 30 per cent to make up for the academic loss caused due to Covid-19.
However, it was the decision to drop topics related to Social Sciences which drew sharp reaction from opposition parties like the Congress, Left, Trinamool Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena.
The comments by the minister came following a controversy over the reduction of syllabus by the CBSE due to the Covid-19 situation, with the opposition alleging that chapters on India's democracy and plurality are being "dropped" to propagate a particular ideology.
"The problem with these comments is that they resort to sensationalism by connecting topics selectively to portray a false narrative," the minister said in a series of tweets.
As CBSE has clarified, schools have been advised to follow the NCERT Alternate Academic Calendar, and all the topics mentioned have been covered under the same Academic Calendar. The exclusions are merely a 1-time measure for exams, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
The only aim is to relax the stress on students by reducing the syllabus by 30%. This exercise has been carried out… https://t.co/FAmruYaxUJ
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) 1594276336000While it is easy to misconstrue exclusion of 3-4 topics like nationalism, local government, federalism, etc. and bu… https://t.co/Wm9Arny3oK
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) 1594276337000"It is our humble request that education is our sacred duty towards our children. Let us leave politics out of education and make our politics more educated," the minister added.
A controversy erupted on Wednesday over the reduction of syllabus by the CBSE due to the Covid-19 situation, with the Opposition alleging that chapters on India's democracy and plurality are being "dropped" to propagate a particular ideology, but the board insisted it is a one-time measure for this academic year only and is not restricted to a particular subject as is being projected by some.
There was mixed response from various stakeholders as several school representatives welcomed the move to reduce the course load on children, while a section of academicians said it appeared to be ideologically driven. Some others said it would affect the quality of education and will work against students, especially who have to appear in entrance exams.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had announced that it had rationalised the syllabus for Classes 9 to 12 for the 2020-21 session by up to 30 per cent to make up for the academic loss caused due to Covid-19.
However, it was the decision to drop topics related to Social Sciences which drew sharp reaction from opposition parties like the Congress, Left, Trinamool Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena.
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