The Supreme Court of India, under the Chief Justice, has enacted a complete ban on the recent Class 8 Social Science textbook published by NCERT due to a disputed chapter addressing the judiciary. This directive requires the seizure of all physical and digital copies of the text, a move that has raised critical questions regarding the authorship and approval of NCERT textbooks.
What is NCERT?
Founded in 1961, NCERT functions as an autonomous entity under the Ministry of Education, focusing on enhancing the quality of school education through curriculum development and textbook preparation, widely used across CBSE and state schools. While NCERT enjoys academic autonomy, its operations are governed by the Ministry’s policy framework, which led to the Ministry’s announcement regarding the halt in book sales and the planned rewriting of the contentious chapter.
The Textbook Writing Process
The formulation of NCERT textbooks does not begin from scratch; it starts with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which outlines educational philosophies, subject priorities, and teaching methodologies. NCERT’s mandate includes creating and continuously updating the syllabus and textbooks to align with evolving educational standards. Once the NCF is finalized, specific syllabi for each class and subject are crafted. It is only at this stage that the Textbook Development Committees (TDCs) step in to write the textbooks.
Who Constructs the Textbooks?
Contrary to common understanding, NCERT textbooks are not the work of a single author but are produced by committees composed of university faculty, subject specialists, teachers, and members of NCERT. This collective approach aims to ensure diverse academic perspectives and reduces the likelihood of biases and inaccuracies. High-level national panels are often formed during significant revisions, particularly those associated with the National Curriculum Framework and changes following the National Education Policy.
Review Mechanisms Prior to Publication
Prior to printing, NCERT textbooks go through several critical reviews. The initial review is internal, where draft chapters are assessed by NCERT subject experts and editors, focusing on accuracy, age appropriateness, and clarity. Following this, an external review is conducted by academic peers to evaluate the content’s academic integrity. The subsequent phase involves pedagogical checks to ensure compatibility with constitutional values, educational aims, and classroom suitability, especially in sensitive subjects like social science and civics. Historical practices show that NCERT adapts to feedback by forming review committees, illustrating that textbook content is regularly evaluated and not fixed after publication.
Final Approval and Publication Procedures
After passing through the aforementioned reviews, the manuscript awaits final institutional approval. Although NCERT operates autonomously, it is subject to the Ministry of Education’s oversight, which can intervene on issues related to national curriculum content. Recommendations have surfaced advocating for systematic reviews of feedback from educators and institutions before updating textbooks, reinforcing a review-oriented framework. Once the book secures approval, it enters the publication phase, which is a massive logistical undertaking, as NCERT ranks among the largest textbook publishers in India.
Addressing Post-Publication Corrections
The revision of published chapters aligns with NCERT’s mechanisms for addressing feedback. If significant concerns arise post-publication, committees may be established to re-evaluate content. This continuous feedback process indicates that publication marks not the end, but rather the continuation of scrutiny. Enhanced oversight following controversies showcases that amendments involve comprehensive academic deliberations rather than unilateral editorial decisions.
Implications of the Ban
In India’s educational landscape, revisions to textbooks are not unprecedented. The recent changes following the National Education Policy demonstrate an ongoing commitment to developing the curriculum. The controversy surrounding the Class 8 chapter reflects the dynamic nature of educational materials, illustrating how major institutional reviews influence the creation, vetting, and potential revision of textbooks, even after they have been published.