Kerala Takes Unique Step in Compiling Deleted NCERT Portions for New Textbooks
The Kerala government has taken a distinctive initiative by compiling all the content omitted by the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) from school textbooks, resulting in the creation of new study materials for students and examination purposes. State General Education Minister V. Sivankutty made this announcement, emphasizing that Kerala’s rich educational heritage motivated this decision.
Sivankutty’s statement was in response to a question raised by the UDF opposition in the state assembly regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy 2023.
He pointed out that the policy has not garnered complete acceptance across the country, with Tamil Nadu rejecting it entirely and Karnataka agreeing to implement only select portions. Furthermore, the NCERT had removed various topics, including the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the alleged involvement of RSS, segments related to the Mughal rule in India, aspects of the Indian freedom struggle, and some communal riots, from textbooks intended for classes 11 and 12.
Sivankutty highlighted, “So, we compiled all the deleted portions and created a new textbook. It is not merely a textbook but a comprehensive syllabus that students can study and be examined on.” These supplementary textbooks were unveiled by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in August this year.
During the book release event, Vijayan strongly criticized the NCERT for its exclusion of significant content from school textbooks, expressing concerns that such omissions had political motivations aiming to cultivate a society rooted in animosity and hatred.
