The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently made the decision to remove the Preamble from various textbooks of class III and VI, in accordance with New Education Policy, 2020. Previously, it was included in the initial pages of several NCERT books.
This change in the textbook affects key academic projects, reflecting the latest National Curriculum Framework.
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Background on the NCERT
The NCERT, which was set up in 1961, has the mandate to assist and advise the central and state governments on academic matters related to school education. Besides this, NCERT has periodically been revisiting its textbooks to take into account present knowledge and educational practices. These revisions relate to updating of changing historical and scientific events and social developments.
Details of the Recent Change
In the newly published textbooks for Class III, NCERT has removed the Preamble for Mathematics, Hindi, English and EVS (now ‘World Around Us’). The old books for the respective subjects include the Preamble on initial pages.
The new Class VI textbook for social science, named ‘Exploring Society: India and Beyond’ does not include the Preamble. However, the book contains Fundamental Duties and Fundamental Rights. In the old curriculum, all the three books of social science of history, geography and political science included the preamble.
The new Sanskrit textbook, ‘Deepakam’, does not have the Preamble but contains the National Anthem and National Song. The new English textbook for class VI also includes the National Anthem.
Rationale Behind the Decision
The NCERT has issued a statement regarding the issue and changes made. It claims that the core values enshrined in the constitution are included in various parts of the curriculum and the said change is to simplify educational curriculum.
NCERT’s official response is as follows.
It is a misconception, NCERT argued, to view the Preamble as constituting the sole representation of constitutional values, instead what was required was a broader approach to inculcating these values in children.
Experts argue that Preamble is a miniature form of the Constitution, and therefore the national anthem, the national song, or for that matter, the fundamental rights and duties cannot substitute it.
Political Implications
The decision to withdraw the Preamble has also been politicized. Some observers believe that it reflects wider political agendas and ideologies. Experts in education and constitutional law have voiced their opinions. Many hold the opinion that the Preamble works as a very significant teaching tool, helping students to learn and understand the central values and ideals that govern the Indian Republic. Its deletion, therefore, may mean less emphasis on those values as perceived by future generations.
Recently, in June, 2024, NCERT also removed the term ‘Babri Masjid’ from the Class 12 Political Science textbook, and replaced it with “the three-domed structure which was built at the site of Lord Ram’s birthplace”. This move also led to debates and controversies in the past, accusing the NDA government of influencing these changes.
Future Implications
One of the most significant and controversial changes that the Indian educational scenario has witnessed is the removal of the Preamble from NCERT textbooks. Even as the decision is undertaken in view of reducing the burden, it really does beg certain questions regarding not just the role of civic education but how democratic values are preserved.
This decision may finally set a trend for future revisions of textbooks. Hereafter, the dilemma that educators and policymakers will face is: ‘how to reconcile the imperatives of simplification of curriculum with a need to retain core educational content’. The debate may perhaps continue leading to a re-evaluation on how constitutional education proposes to be conducted in Indian schools.
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