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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced significant changes to its curriculum this academic year, which include the removal of the Preamble to the Indian Constitution from several Class 3 and Class 6 textbooks.
For Class 3 students, the Preamble has been removed from textbooks covering Hindi, English, mathematics, and “World Around Us,” a new subject that replaces Environmental Studies (EVS). Previously, the Preamble was included in the introductory pages of these textbooks, serving as an initial exposure to the core values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
In the case of Class 6, the Preamble has been omitted from the new English textbook “Poorvi” and the Sanskrit textbook “Deepakam.” The Class 6 curriculum has also seen a reduction in the number of environmental studies textbooks from three to one. However, the Preamble remains in the Hindi textbook “Malhar” and the science textbook “Curiosity.” The social science textbook, which no longer includes the Preamble, now emphasises fundamental rights and fundamental duties.
Despite the removal of the Preamble, NCERT has ensured that other elements of national importance, such as the national anthem and the national song, are included in the new textbooks. The English textbook “Poorvi” and the Sanskrit textbook “Deepakam” now feature these symbols, reflecting NCERT’s broader approach to instill national pride and constitutional values in students.
Professor Ranjana Arora, Head of the Department of Curriculum Studies and Development at NCERT, has addressed the controversy surrounding these changes. She emphasised that the allegations of the Preamble’s removal are not entirely accurate. According to Professor Arora, NCERT is prioritising a comprehensive understanding of the Indian Constitution by including not just the Preamble, but also fundamental duties, fundamental rights, and the national anthem across various stages of education.
“There is no solid evidence to support the claims that the Preamble was removed from the NCERT textbooks,” Professor Arora stated. “For the first time, NCERT is giving great importance to various facets of the Indian Constitution – the Preamble, Fundamental Duties, Fundamental Rights, and the National Anthem. All these are being placed in various textbooks at various stages.”
She further elaborated, “The understanding that only the Preamble reflects the Constitution and Constitutional Values is flawed and narrow. Why should children not acquire Constitutional Values from Fundamental Duties, Fundamental Rights, and the National Anthem along with the Preamble? We give equal importance to all of these for the holistic development of children following the vision of NEP 2020.”
The revised textbooks align with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This alignment reflects a shift towards contextualising educational content within an Indian framework. For instance, the revised Class 12 Political Science textbook refers to the Babri Masjid as a “three-domed structure” and has significantly trimmed the Ayodhya section from four to two pages, removing detailed descriptions found in previous editions.
Additionally, the NCERT has made a notable change in language usage. The word ‘Bharat’ is now used extensively for the first time in NCERT textbooks, appearing 19 times in the chapter titled “Culture and Tradition,” while ‘India’ is mentioned seven times. This shift aims to foster a deeper connection to Indian heritage and identity among students.
The decision to remove the Preamble from several textbooks has elicited mixed reactions. Many educators and parents are concerned about the exclusion, arguing that the Preamble serves as a foundational introduction to the principles and values of the Indian Constitution. They fear that its removal might undermine students’ understanding of these critical concepts.
Conversely, some support NCERT’s holistic approach, emphasising the inclusion of fundamental duties, fundamental rights, and the national anthem as a more comprehensive way to instill constitutional values. They argue that this method aligns with the vision of NEP 2020, which advocates for a broad-based educational experience.
NCERT’s decision to revise the curriculum by removing the Preamble from certain textbooks while incorporating other constitutional elements reflects a nuanced approach to education under NEP 2020. As the academic year unfolds, the impact of these changes on students’ understanding of constitutional values will become clearer.
Apart from the removal of the Preamble, NCERT has revised several other aspects of its textbooks to align with NEP 2020 and NCF 2023. The old Class 6 English textbook “Honeysuckle,” which included eight poems (seven by non-Indian authors) and eight prose pieces (five by non-Indian authors), has been revised to include more stories by Indian authors. This change aims to provide students with content that is more relatable and rooted in their cultural context.
The ongoing revisions and their reception will likely influence future textbook content and educational policies. NCERT’s emphasis on a more holistic approach to constitutional education may pave the way for similar changes across other classes and subjects. Monitoring the academic and social impact of these changes will be crucial for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in the Indian education system.
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