Changes to the NCERT syllabus and associated issues – Explained, pointwise

Introduction

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made 1,334 changes in 182 books to its syllabus for various classes, including the removal of certain texts related to the Mughal era, the Delhi Sultanate, and the role of Hindu extremist organizations in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

While the NCERT has cited rationalization and reduction of content load as the reasons for the changes, they have faced criticism for being politically motivated and revisionist. These changes have raised concerns about the implications for India’s education system and its impact on the country’s collective memory and national identity.  

What are the recent changes in the NCERT syllabus?  

Some of the key changes are:  

Class 12 History: Chapters related to the Mughal Empire have been removed from the textbook ‘Themes of Indian History-Part II.’  

Class 12 Civics: Chapters like ‘American Hegemony in World Politics’ and ‘The Cold War Era’ have been removed from the Civics textbook.  

Class 12 Indian Politics after Independence: Two chapters, ‘Rise of Popular Movements’ and ‘Era of One Party Dominance,’ have been removed.  

Class 10 Democratic Politics-2: Chapters such as ‘Democracy and Diversity,’ ‘Popular Struggles and Movements,’ and ‘Challenges of Democracy’ have been dropped.  

Class 11 Themes in World History: Chapters like ‘Central Islamic Lands,’ ‘Clash of Cultures,’ and ‘Industrial Revolution’ have been removed.  

Other changes are Content on the government’s ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) following Gandhi’s assassination. References to Nathuram Godse’s background and his connection to extremist Hindu newspapers.  

About the previous changes in the NCERT Syllabus

30% of the NCERT syllabus was removed as part of the syllabus rationalisation in 2022. The process resulted in the removal of sections from the curriculum, including lessons on Gujarat riots, Mughal courts, the Emergency, the Cold War, and the Naxalite movement, among others.  

It is worth mentioning that not just revamping the textbooks, the NCERT has also revised the National Curriculum Framework after 14 years on the lines of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The previous four occasions when the NCF was revised were in 1975, 1988, 2000 and 2005.  

These changes have been made in line with the updated syllabus and are being implemented in schools following the NCERT syllabus from the 2023-2024 academic session.  

What is the rationale behind the changes in the NCERT syllabus?

The rationale behind the changes in the NCERT syllabus can be seen from multiple perspectives:  

The previous syllabus is not aligned with new educational policies: It is essential to revise and align the current NCERT syllabus with the new education policy to ensure that it meets the updated objectives, priorities, and guidelines.  

Outdated content: Some parts of the syllabus may contain outdated or irrelevant information, which may not be applicable or useful for students in the contemporary context. For example, issues like Swachh Bharat, Digital India, GST, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, demonetisation etc are missing in the current syllabus. 

Bias and controversy: The NCERT syllabus has faced criticism for potential biases and controversies in its content. This could include the portrayal of historical events, political issues, or cultural aspects that may be seen as promoting a particular viewpoint or ideology.

For example, the book on Politics in Independent India has chapters on ‘the era of one-party dominance’. Under this section, the nature of the dominance of the Congress, Socialist, Communist Party, Communist Party of India, Bharatiya Jana Sangh etc, were being taught to the students.  

Lack of inclusivity: The syllabus may not adequately represent the diverse cultural, linguistic, and social backgrounds of India, which can lead to a lack of understanding and appreciation of the country’s rich heritage and diversity. For example, more space was given to Mughal Empire. 

Heavy workload to students: The NCERT syllabus is often criticized for being too vast and demanding, leading to a high workload for students, which can have negative impacts on their mental and physical well-being.  

Addressing feedback from educators and stakeholders: Changes may be made based on feedback from teachers, students, and other stakeholders to ensure that the curriculum remains effective and engaging.  

What are the advantages of the new changes in the NCERT syllabus?

Advantages of Changes in NCERT Syllabus:  

Inclusion of Modern Schemes and Programs: The changes in the NCERT syllabus have included references to modern schemes and programs introduced by the Indian government, such as Digital India, Make in India, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. This helps students to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and be more informed citizens.  

Increased Emphasis on Ancient Indian Knowledge: The revised syllabus places greater emphasis on ancient Indian knowledge and practices, such as yoga, Ayurveda, and Vedic mathematics. This helps students to appreciate their cultural heritage and understand the value of traditional practices.  

Focus on Nationalist Figures: The changes have given greater recognition to nationalist figures who played an important role in India’s struggle for independence but were overlooked in the past. For example, the new textbooks include more information about freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, and Sardar Patel.  

Reduced Content Load: The rationalisation of the syllabus has resulted in a reduction of 30% of the content load, which means that students have to study fewer topics in each subject. This helps to reduce the burden on students and enables them to focus more on understanding the concepts in depth.  

Updated Content: The revised syllabus includes updated content to reflect the latest developments in various fields, such as science, technology, and social issues. This helps students to keep pace with the rapidly changing world and be better prepared for the future.  

What are the challenges associated with the changes in the NCERT syllabus?

Implementation challenges: The sudden removal of certain topics and the addition of new ones may pose challenges in terms of implementing the new syllabus effectively. For example, teachers may require additional training to teach new topics, and schools may need to invest in new resources such as updated textbooks and teaching aids.  

Controversial changes: The removal of certain topics, such as the Mughal era and Gandhi’s assassination, has been controversial and has raised concerns about the government’s motives. Some argue that these changes are politically motivated, while others believe that they are an attempt to rewrite history to fit a specific agenda.  

Impact on student learning: There is a risk that some of the changes made to the NCERT syllabus may negatively impact student learning. For example, the removal of certain historical events or figures may lead to an incomplete or biased understanding of the subject matter.  

Resistance to change: There may be resistance to the changes made to the NCERT syllabus from various stakeholders, including teachers, students, and parents. Some may argue that the changes are unnecessary or that they undermine the credibility of the education system.  

Unequal access to resources: The changes made to the NCERT syllabus may require schools to invest in new resources, such as textbooks and teaching aids, which may not be affordable for all schools. This could result in unequal access to resources and opportunities for students, depending on their socioeconomic background.  

Impact on standardized tests: The changes to the syllabus could have an impact on standardized tests and college admissions, as these exams often test knowledge based on the old syllabus.  

What should be done?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to address the challenges associated with changes in the NCERT syllabus. However, here are some suggestions that could help:  

Engage in constructive dialogue: It is important to have a constructive dialogue between all stakeholders, including educators, students, parents, and policymakers. This can help to address the concerns and ensure that the changes made in the syllabus are in line with the needs of the students and society as a whole.  

Conduct thorough research and analysis: Before making any changes to the syllabus, it is important to conduct thorough research and analysis to ensure that the changes are evidence-based and have a sound pedagogical rationale.  

Ensure diversity and inclusivity: The syllabus should be designed to promote diversity and inclusivity, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and varied experiences of Indian society.  

Provide adequate training to teachers: Teachers should be provided with adequate training and professional development opportunities to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach the revised syllabus.  

Monitor the implementation and impact of the changes: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the implementation and impact of the changes in the syllabus can help to identify any issues and address them in a timely manner.  

Overall, any changes made to the NCERT syllabus should be done with the best interest of the students and society in mind, keeping in mind the principles of diversity, inclusivity, and quality education for all.  

Sources:  Indian Express (Article 1 and Article 2), Times of India, DNA India, Business Standard 

Syllabus: GS 2: Social Issues – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.