The National Council of Educational Research and Training, NCERT, has responded to recent charges that the Preamble to the Constitution was deleted from certain Class 3 and Class 6 textbooks this year.
The NCERT explained that these assertions lack a strong foundation, stating that the organization is now focused on several components of the Indian Constitution, such as the Preamble, Fundamental Duties, Fundamental Rights, and the National Anthem, as part of a new educational strategy.
These remarks followed several media reports, suggesting that the Preamble was excluded from some textbooks, particularly those covering languages and environmental studies (EVS). NCERT noted that revisions to textbooks were implemented following the introduction of the latest National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
This year, new books for classes 3 and 6 have been published in line with the updated National Curriculum Framework.
Historically, the Preamble appeared on the first pages of several Class VI textbooks, such as ‘Durva’ (Hindi), ‘Honey Suckle’ (English), and various EVS books. However, the new English textbook ‘Poorvi’ and the Sanskrit text ‘Deepakam’ now include the national hymn and song, but not the Preamble. The Preamble was similarly missing from the earlier Sanskrit book, Ruchira.
In response to these concerns, NCERT emphasized that its educational materials are designed to provide a well-rounded understanding of constitutional values.
According to Professor Ranjana Arora, Head of the Department of Curriculum Studies and Development at NCERT, the belief that only the Preamble reflects constitutional values is misguided. The NCERT aims to impart constitutional values through various elements, in alignment with the NEP-2020’s vision for holistic child development.
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