Textbook revision in Karnataka “unnecessary, divisive, costly exercise”: NCEE

The recent revision of textbooks for primary and secondary school education in Karnataka has drawn up a political controversy. The omission and addition of textbook chapters of social sciences and Kannada of classes 1 -10 by a textbook revision committee of seven members led by Rohith Chakrathirtha ask the question of whether these “corrective measures” were led by principles of equality, social justice and democracy”.

The National Coalition on the Education Emergency comprising of a group of individuals, organizations and networks across the country has released a detailed report condemning the revised syllabus and asking to revoke the revisions.

“The recent revisions are regressive, done in an arbitrary manner, without adherence to well-defined curriculum framework and processes” states the report signed by NCEE, which has come together to ‘resume and renew’ school education.

“The process and substance of the textbook revision is deeply disturbing and antithetical to the core values of our education system and constitution”

The textbook revision committee is hardly democratic and largely Brahmin. Lacking diversity and perspectives of the oppressed and historically discriminated sections of the society, the revision feeds into the saffron narrative of Brahmanical Hindutva.

The textbook revision committee is comprised of seven members led by Rohith Chakrathirtha. Committee head Rohith who had earlier translated the PM’s book Exam Warriors revised the content in Social Science textbooks from Classes 6 to 10, and Kannada content in textbooks from Classes 1 to 10. There are also allegations against the committee head that in 2017, he had shared a satirical version of Jnanpith awardee Kuvempu’s Karnataka state anthem on social media.

In a blatant act of regression, Dalit voices have been silenced by removing chapters of Dalit writers and instead replaced with chapters by Brahmin writers. “The committee has pushed the ideology of the dominant religion/caste in this process. Lack of diversity and representativeness undermines the committee’s credibility. Denial of perspectives of those who have suffered social injustice over centuries, reinforces those injustices.”

“One of the dropped chapters discusses the injustices of the caste system. Another dropped
chapter discusses vegetarian and meat cuisine. A third chapter where content has been dropped is of the noted social reformer Periyaar, who provided a different perspective on the Ramayana.

Casteist content has been added – for instance, a reference to the upanayanam ritual of Brahmin men, in the chapter on Basaveshwara, whose primary vision was of a casteless society.” says the report

The textbook revision distressed the children already reeling from the impacts of the pandemic. Lack of resources, access to structured learning opportunities and learning materials still looms over them. Due to the revision “exercise, textbook printing has got delayed for at least 3 months.

“The revision violates the aims of education in the position paper of the National Curriculum Framework 2005.” Lack of diversity and exposure to other cultures setbacks the aim of NCF -broadening students thinking, developing respect for others, and building a harmonious society.