NCERT : In a controversial move that could reshape the way Indian students learn about their nation’s history and culture, a panel led by C I Isaac has recommended a series of significant changes to the school curriculum, which is currently being revised by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
These changes include introducing the ‘Indian Knowledge System’ (IKS) across all subjects, shifting from ‘ancient history’ to ‘classical history,’ and replacing ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in school textbooks.
The proposal, which has stirred considerable debate, was unveiled by C I Isaac, who is also a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).
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According to Isaac, the existing curriculum emphasizes India’s failures while neglecting the triumphs over Mughals and sultans. This panel, composed of notable scholars and experts, aims to rectify this imbalance in the educational materials used in Indian schools.
Other members of the committee include Raghuvendra Tanwar, Chairperson of ICHR, Vandana Mishra, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Vasant Shinde, the former vice-chancellor of Deccan College Deemed University, and Mamta Yadav, a sociology teacher in a Haryana government school.
The proposed changes align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes a holistic and balanced approach to education. To facilitate these modifications, NCERT recently established a 19-member National Syllabus and Teaching Learning Material Committee (NSTC) responsible for shaping the curriculum, textbooks, and learning materials.
One of the most noteworthy recommendations of the NCERT panel is the use of ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India‘ in school textbooks. Although the proposal was unanimously accepted by the panel members, it is not yet a finalized decision and awaits further review by NCERT in Delhi.
The notion of adopting ‘Bharat’ over ‘India’ is not without controversy. It comes in the wake of a broader debate regarding whether the country should officially be renamed ‘Bharat.’
The discussion gained momentum earlier this year when the Centre sent G20 dinner invitations hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in the name of “President of Bharat” instead of “President of India,” sparking a political controversy.
Article 1(1) of the Constitution defines the official name of the country as “India, that is Bharat shall be a Union of States.” However, the proposal to embrace ‘Bharat’ in school textbooks reflects a broader societal conversation about the country’s identity and heritage.
In a symbolic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nameplate displayed ‘Bharat’ on the table during his address at the G20 Leaders Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. This further underscores the potential shift towards embracing ‘Bharat’ as a more culturally rooted and historically significant term for the nation.
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