Karnataka’s new education minister hints at textbook revision to ensure students’ minds are not ‘tainted’

Karnataka’s newly appointed Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa indicated on Tuesday the possibility of checking school textbooks in the coming days, in the interest of students and to ensure their minds are not “tainted”.

However, he declined to comment on the repeal of the ‘hijab ban’, saying the matter was before the courts, and asked people to wait for answers on the new government’s plans to remove the hijab. National Education Policy (PNE).

In its election manifesto, Congress promised to undo changes made to school textbooks when the BJP was in power, and also promised to scrap the NEP. “I was the vice chair of the congressional manifesto committee, and in the manifesto we had clearly said that the revision of textbooks will be carried out in the interest of the future of the students. We don’t want their minds to be contaminated,” Bangarappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said: “We have already said that students come to schools to get educated and we don’t want it to be disturbed, and there should be no mistake by the government, me, officials or the system. in this regard. We have made the commitment.” Stating that the textbooks for the start of classes from tomorrow have been dispatched to some extent, he said to her. “The challenge before us now is: how do we do it carefully, without affecting the students and their studies.” The manifesto commitment will be carried out under the guidance of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, he added.

Stating that the act of “polluting the minds of children through texts and lessons” cannot be tolerated, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday: “As the academic year has started, we will discuss and take steps so that the education of children will not be disturbed. .” Noting that the education sector will not be allowed to be “adulterated” in the name of the NEP, the CM had said that a separate meeting would be convened in this regard once again to discuss it comprehensively and make strict decisions.

Stating that he has already had one round of talks with Chief Minister Bangarappa, he said “a team will be put together to move things forward in the department.” “I can’t divulge too much about this right now, the cabinet meeting is scheduled for June 1 and things could take shape on that day for him to share more information,” he said.

There was controversy over textbooks during the previous regime, with demands from the opposition Congress and some writers to sack the then head of the textbook review committee, Rohith Chakratirtha, for allegedly “saffroning” school textbooks. by including RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar’s speech as a chapter, and omitting chapters on key figures such as freedom fighters, social reformers, and the writings of prominent literary figures.

There were also allegations of content misstatement about the 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and certain factual errors in textbooks, including accusations of disrespecting ‘Raashtra Kavi’ (national poet) Kuvempu and distortion of the state anthem written by him. Initially the allegations were refuted but later rectifications were made in some cases.

Responding to a question about whether the hijab ban will be lifted in schools and universities, the minister said: “As the matter is in court, if I make any comment, it will be wrong. Anything the government is legally required to do will be done by the Legal Department. This is the direction I have from now on… if I say anything else, it will become a commitment.” When asked about plans by Congress to scrap the National Education Policy, Bangarappa said: “You will get answers to this in the days to come. I just received the responsibility of the department yesterday.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed: ITP)