NCERT Drops Preamble from Class 3 and 6 Textbooks

News Analysis

·      The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made significant changes to its educational materials for the academic year, including the removal of the Preamble to the Indian Constitution from several Class 3 and Class 6 textbooks.

·      This decision has sparked discussions about the implications of such a move and the rationale behind it.

Key Points:

1.     Removal of the Preamble:

o   The Preamble to the Constitution, which outlines the guiding principles and values of the Indian Republic, has been omitted from several newly published NCERT textbooks for Class 3 and Class 6.

o   Specifically, in Class 6, the Preamble has been removed from the social science textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, although the book still covers fundamental rights and duties. However, the Preamble remains in the science textbook Curiosity and the Hindi textbook Malhar.

2.     Textbook Comparisons:

o   In the previous editions of the textbooks, the Preamble was included in multiple subjects such as English, science, Hindi, and all three social science books (Our Pasts-I, Social and Political Life-I, and The Earth Our Habitat).

o   The new Class 3 textbooks for subjects like Hindi, English, mathematics, and the new integrated subject World Around Us (which replaces Environmental Studies) also do not include the Preamble. Previously, the Preamble was included in the EVS book Looking Around and the Hindi book Rimjhim 3.

3.     Response from NCERT:

o   Professor Ranjana Arora, Head of the Department of Curriculum Studies and Development at NCERT, responded to the concerns, stating that the allegations regarding the removal of the Preamble do not have a sound basis. This suggests that the changes were part of a broader curriculum revision rather than an intentional omission of key constitutional elements.

4.     Implications of the Change:

o   The omission of the Preamble from these textbooks raises questions about how foundational aspects of India’s democratic values and constitutional principles are being communicated to students at a formative age.

o   The Preamble serves as an introduction to the Constitution and encapsulates the vision of the nation’s founding principles such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Its absence from key educational materials might impact students' understanding of these core values.

5.     Educational Impact:

o   The decision may lead to a shift in how students are introduced to the Constitution and its principles. While the fundamental rights and duties are still included, the removal of the Preamble might reduce the emphasis on the holistic vision of the Constitution.

o   Educators and policymakers may need to assess the long-term impact of these changes on students’ civic understanding and engagement.

6.     Contextual Relevance:

o   The changes to the NCERT textbooks come amid broader discussions and reforms in the educational curriculum. This context may provide some insights into the decision-making process, reflecting an evolving approach to how civic education is delivered in schools.

Conclusion:

The removal of the Preamble from several NCERT textbooks has prompted concern and debate about the potential implications for civic education in India. While the NCERT has downplayed the significance of these changes, the absence of the Preamble in key educational resources may alter the way students are introduced to the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution. As the curriculum evolves, it will be important to monitor how these changes affect students' understanding of their rights, duties, and the constitutional vision that underpins Indian democracy.

MCQs

1. In which new Class 6 NCERT textbook has the Preamble been removed?

a) Honey Suckle

b) Curiosity

c) Exploring Society: India and Beyond

d) Malhar

Answer: c) Exploring Society: India and Beyond

2. Which subject replaces Environmental Studies (EVS) in the new NCERT Class 3 textbooks?

a) Social Science

b) World Around Us

c) General Knowledge

d) Science and Technology

Answer: b) World Around Us

3. Which of the following statements is correct about the Preamble in the new NCERT Class 3 textbooks?

a) The Preamble is included in the new Hindi textbook.

b) The Preamble is included in the new English textbook.

c) The Preamble is included in the new mathematics textbook.

d) The Preamble has been removed from all new Class 3 textbooks.

Answer: d) The Preamble has been removed from all new Class 3 textbooks.

4. Which NCERT official responded to the concerns about the removal of the Preamble from the textbooks?

a) Ranjana Arora

b) D.P. Sharma

c) Anita Karwal

d) Anil Swarup

Answer: a) Ranjana Arora

5. In the context of the new NCERT textbooks, which of the following remains present despite the removal of the Preamble?

a) National Song

b) National Anthem

c) Fundamental Rights and Duties

d) None of the above

Answer: c) Fundamental Rights and Duties