Lok Sabha Question No. 1235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-25
Subject: Uniform Curriculum
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1235 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2022

## Uniform Curriculum

## 1235.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of various reports indicating that the Karnataka State Government expunging a chapter related to freedom fighter Bhagat Singh of school textbooks of Class 10 text books and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to consider conceptualizing a unified curriculum framework for rationalizing  the  inclusion  of  freedom  fighters  and  important  figures  of  national  movement  in textbooks and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposed the same for consideration of various State Governments;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and responses of the State Governments thereto;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  further  received  suggestions  /recommendations  from  academia  to consider inclusion of lessons featuring young or under-50 achievers and scientists and activists from various fields; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereupon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

- (a) The Karnataka State Government has informed that they have revised the 6 th to 10 th Social Science and 1 to 10 th Kannada Language textbooks for the year 2022-23. While revising the textbooks, the chapter or concept  related  to  freedom  fighter Bhagat  Singh has  not  been  expunged  from  any  class  textbooks.  At present, Karnataka State Government curriculum textbooks have the concepts about Bhagat Singh in 7 th and 10 th classes.
- (b) National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 brought out by the Government of India, in its para 4.30, it is stated  that  the  formulation  of  a  new  and  comprehensive  National  Curriculum  Framework  for  School Education  (NCFSE)  will  be  undertaken  by  the  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  and  Training (NCERT) which will  be  based  on  the  principles  of  this  NEP  2020,  frontline  curriculum  needs  and  after discussion with all stakeholders.

It  has  been  further  stated  in  the  policy  that  States  will  prepare  their  own  curricula  (which  may  be based  on  the  NCFSE  prepared  by  NCERT  to  the  extent  possible)  and  prepare  textbooks  (which  may  be based  on  NCERT  textbook  materials  to  the  extent  possible),  incorporating  state  flavour  and  material  as needed. While doing so, it must be borne in mind that NCERT curriculum would be taken as the nationally acceptable criterion. Moreover, one of the principles of NEP 2020 is 'a rootedness and pride in India' which may lead to inclusion of content related to India's struggle for freedom and important figures of national movement.

(c) & (d) NCERT  has  initiated  the  processes  of  development  of  National  Curriculum  Frameworks  using bottom-up approach where in States and UTs are also involved in providing their inputs drawing from gross root levels. Till now, except Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Telangana, all States and UTs have come forward to provide their inputs.

(e) & (f) No such proposal/recommendation has been received so far.

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