NCERT Defends Curriculum Changes: Emphasizes Comprehensive Constitutional Education

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made notable adjustments to its curriculum for the current academic year, including the removal of the Preamble to the Indian Constitution from several textbooks for Classes 3 and 6.

For Class 3 students, the Preamble has been excluded from textbooks for Hindi, English, mathematics, and “World Around Us,” a subject introduced to replace Environmental Studies (EVS). Previously, it was featured in the introductory sections of these books, providing students with an initial exposure to the fundamental values of the Indian Constitution.

In Class 6, the Preamble has been removed from the English textbook “Poorvi” and the Sanskrit textbook “Deepakam.” The Class 6 curriculum has also undergone changes, including a reduction in environmental studies textbooks from three to one. Despite these changes, the Preamble remains in the Hindi textbook “Malhar” and the science textbook “Curiosity.” Additionally, the social science textbook has shifted its focus to fundamental rights and duties, omitting the Preamble.

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Addressing the controversy, Professor Ranjana Arora, Head of the Department of Curriculum Studies and Development at NCERT, has clarified the intent behind these revisions. She asserted that the claims regarding the Preamble’s removal are not entirely accurate. NCERT’s updated curriculum aims to offer a well-rounded understanding of the Indian Constitution by including not only the Preamble but also fundamental duties, fundamental rights, and the national anthem across various educational stages.

She has iterated that, “The allegations regarding the removal of the Preamble from the NCERT textbooks do not have a sound basis. For the first time, NCERT is giving great importance to various facets of the Indian Constitution- Preamble, Fundamental Duties, Fundamental Rights and the National Anthem. All these are being placed in various textbooks of various stages. 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 National Anthem along with Preamble? We give equal importance to all of these for the holistic development of children following the vision of NEP – 2020…”

These changes have definitely garnered mixed reactions from the community. One section criticizes the revisions, claiming that the removal of such core concepts might undermine students’ foundational understanding. Conversely, others praise NCERT’s holistic approach, stating that the inclusion of fundamental duties, fundamental rights, and the national anthem will instill more comprehensive cultural and constitutional values.

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