CBSE deletes topics on nationalism, secularism from Class 9-12 syllabus, Mamata Banerjee expresses 'shock'
New Delhi/UNI: Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, CBSE has reduced the syllabus by 30 per cent and dropped topics such as federalism, nationalism and secularism from Class 11 political science books and India’s relations with its neighbours from Class 12 political science books.
Among the chapters dropped after the rationalisation exercise are lessons on democracy and diversity, demonetisation, nationalism, secularism, India’s relations with its neighbours and growth of local governments in India.
The reduction in CBSE Syllabus 2020-21 was announced on Tuesday by Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', who said he had received about 1,500 suggestions from different stakeholders and after analysis instructed CBSE to reduce CBSE Syllabus.
From the updated curriculum, chapters deleted from class 10 syllabus were on democracy and diversity, gender, religion and caste, popular struggles and movement, challenges to democracy.
The deleted portions for class 11 deal with chapters on federalism, citizenship, nationalism, secularism, growth of local governments in India.
In the case of class 12, the deleted portions deal with chapters on India’s relations with its neighbours, changing nature of India’s economic development, social movements in India and demonetisation.
Topics on local government such as "Why do we need Local Governments?" and "Growth of Local Government in India" also stand pruned.
The deletions were made by the CBSE on the direction of the HRD ministry to cut the syllabus for classes 9 to 12 and make up for the academic loss caused by the pandemic and school subsequent.
These topics will not be accessed in themselves but teachers have been asked to explain to the students of their relevance with respect to existing topics.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her shock over the incident.
"Shocked to know that the Central Govt has dropped topics like Citizenship, Federalism, Secularism & Partition in the name of reducing CBSE course during #COVIDCrisis. We strongly object to this & appeal @HRDMinistry , GoI to ensure these vital lessons aren't curtailed at any cost," she tweeted.
Shocked to know that the Central Govt has dropped topics like Citizenship, Federalism, Secularism & Partition in the name of reducing CBSE course during #COVIDCrisis.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 8, 2020
We strongly object to this & appeal @HRDMinistry, GoI to ensure these vital lessons aren't curtailed at any cost. https://t.co/pkBaVI4VKM
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