The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court of India and withdrawn a Class 8 Social Science textbook after controversy arose over a chapter discussing issues related to the judiciary. The council removed the book from circulation after the court objected strongly to certain parts of the content.
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NCERT: Background of the Controversy
NCERT published the textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond – Grade 8 (Part II)” for school students as part of the updated curriculum. One chapter in the book, titled “The Role of Judiciary in Our Society,” discussed several issues affecting the judicial system, including corruption allegations, delays in court cases, and the shortage of judges.
The Supreme Court closely examined the chapter and raised concerns about how the textbook presented the judiciary to young students. The court stated that such material might create a negative perception about an important democratic institution. The judges therefore took suo motu cognisance of the matter and asked NCERT officials to explain the inclusion of the disputed content.
Supreme Court’s Strong Reaction
During the hearing, the Supreme Court criticized the chapter and described the content as unsuitable for a school-level textbook. The court emphasized that educational materials for children should present balanced and responsible information.
The court also issued show-cause notices to senior officials, including the NCERT Director and the Secretary of the School Education Department. The judges asked them to explain why the authorities allowed such content to appear in the textbook.
In addition, the court imposed a complete ban on the publication, reprinting, and digital circulation of the book. The court warned that any attempt to distribute the same material again would violate its order.
NCERT Response and Apology
After the court expressed its concerns, NCERT acknowledged the problem and accepted responsibility for the mistake. The organization stated that the chapter contained inappropriate textual material and described the issue as an error in judgment during the editorial process.
NCERT immediately stopped the distribution of the textbook and issued a public apology. The Director and members of the council formally submitted an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Supreme Court.
The organization also confirmed that it had withdrawn the textbook completely and would no longer distribute it to schools or the public.
Steps Taken After Withdrawal
After withdrawing the book, NCERT asked schools, teachers, and individuals to return all copies of the textbook they possessed. The council also requested the removal of any digital versions of the chapter from websites and social media platforms.
Officials assured the court that NCERT would strengthen its editorial and review procedures. The organization plans to involve more subject experts, editors, and reviewers in the textbook preparation process to avoid similar problems in the future.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of the Class 8 textbook highlights the importance of accuracy and responsibility in educational content. By apologizing and removing the book from circulation, NCERT has taken corrective action and addressed the concerns raised by the Supreme Court. The incident also shows the need for careful review of school textbooks so that students receive balanced, reliable, and appropriate educational material. 📚
