NCERT Addresses Misleading Claims on Textbook Content
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has firmly refuted allegations that the Preamble to the Indian Constitution, along with specific references to 'secular' and 'socialist,' has been removed from new Class 9 Social Science textbooks. The council labeled such reports as 'misleading,' clarifying that the content has been reorganised under the new National Curriculum Framework.
Preamble's New Placement and Curriculum Reorganisation
According to NCERT sources, the detailed discussion of the Constitution's Preamble has been strategically relocated to the Class 10 syllabus. While a standalone chapter on the Preamble is no longer present in Class 9, the Preamble itself continues to feature prominently on the opening pages of all new NCERT textbooks across every grade, including all Social Science editions.
Furthermore, explanations of constitutional values, including secularism, justice, liberty, and socialism, are now introduced in earlier grades, specifically from Classes 6 to 8, with a more comprehensive exploration planned for Class 10. This integrated approach aims to distribute learning across different educational stages.
Integrated Approach and Political Context
NCERT officials emphasize that the updated textbooks adopt an integrated teaching methodology for various Social Science disciplines. They caution against direct, item-by-item comparisons with previous editions, stating that the new approach and content vary considerably. This clarification comes amidst a broader political debate surrounding the revisions to the Class 9 Social Science curriculum.