Michel Danino defends inclusion of “Sindhu-Sarasvati” in new NCERT textbooks, says “This is not a Hindutva thing”

Michel Danino, visiting professor at IIT Gandhinagar and chair of NCERT’s committee for drafting new social science textbooks under the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), has overseen the release of the first Class 6 textbook, Exploring Society: India and Beyond. The textbook, which faced delays, is seen as a “good first step” despite only having five months to complete the draft. Danino assured that the textbook will be expanded with more chapters next year.

Michel Danino, chair of NCERT’s textbook committee, addressed concerns about the use of terms like “Sindhu-Sarasvati” and “Indus-Sarasvati” for the Harappan Civilisation in the new Class 6 social science textbook. He clarified that the decision is based on established archaeological scholarship, not political motives. “This is not a Hindutva thing,” Danino stressed, referencing well-known scholars who have used similar terminology.

Danino also acknowledged the challenges faced in aligning the new curriculum with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, admitting that time constraints significantly impacted the committee’s work. “We preferred a year, but in practice, had only five months,” he noted. Despite these challenges, he defended the decision to introduce the new textbooks mid-session, arguing that waiting another year would have created too much of a gap between the NEP’s release and its implementation.

Danino also highlighted the textbook’s innovative approach, which reduces rote learning by minimising text, incorporating graphics, and encouraging critical thinking. However, he acknowledged that the absence of certain chapters, like Early Kingdoms, could impact current Class 6 students transitioning to Class 7. To mitigate this, a bridge course is planned for next year.

Speaking about the broader implications of the NCF 2023 and the pending NCF for teacher education. Danino showed concerns about the delay in teacher training but emphasised that the transition to the new curriculum would be gradual, involving ongoing adjustments.

Responding to criticisms of the textbook’s content, particularly the omission of differing scholarly perspectives, Danino stressed that such debates are not suitable for Class 6 students. However, he assured that higher-level courses would include more nuanced discussions, allowing students to explore various viewpoints.

Finally, Danino confirmed that future textbooks would include pronunciation guides for words in languages like Arabic and Persian, similar to the Sanskrit guides currently provided, addressing linguistic challenges on a case-by-case basis.

Despite the initial challenges faced in rolling out the new social science curriculum, Michel Danino remains optimistic about the transformative potential of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023. As the committee works to refine and expand the new curriculum, Danino believes that the changes introduced this year will lay a strong foundation for the future of Indian education.

Danino emphasised that while the process of drafting and implementing the new textbooks was rushed due to tight deadlines, the core principles of the NCF 2023 are sound and have the capacity to bring about significant improvements in teaching and learning. He highlighted the framework’s focus on reducing rote learning, encouraging critical thinking, and making education more relevant to students’ lives.

Looking ahead, Danino expressed confidence that the ongoing refinements and the planned expansion of the curriculum will address any gaps identified in the initial rollout. “We’re committed to continuously improving the content and ensuring that it aligns with the broader goals of the NCF 2023,” he stated. He also noted that the committee is actively seeking feedback from educators and students to inform future revisions, with the aim of making the curriculum more effective and engaging.