NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced significant amendments to its Affiliation Bye-Laws, focusing on the mandatory use of NCERT textbooks in schools across India. These changes, outlined in Chapter 2, Clause 2.4.7 of the Affiliation Bye-Laws 2018, aim to ensure uniformity in educational content and safeguard against any objectionable material.The revised guidelines, which have been issued by CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta, come into immediate effect, underscoring the Board’s commitment to maintaining high standards in school education.
Amendments for Classes I to VIII
The revised guidelines strongly advise schools to adhere to NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) or SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) textbooks for students in Classes I to VIII. However, schools may supplement these with additional materials, provided they align with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). The CBSE emphasises that any supplementary materials chosen should not only reinforce the core content but also include discussions, analysis, examples, and practical applications.
This approach underscores the importance of a comprehensive educational experience, where students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also an understanding of its real-world applications. By aligning supplementary materials with national curriculum frameworks, the CBSE ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that is consistent across different states and schools.
Mandatory NCERT Books for Classes IX to XII
For students in Classes IX to XII, the CBSE has made it mandatory for schools to use NCERT textbooks as prescribed in the CBSE curriculum. In instances where NCERT or SCERT textbooks are not available for certain subjects, schools are instructed to use CBSE books that are available on the Board’s official website.
Schools may still incorporate supplementary materials and digital content to enhance the learning experience, but with strict adherence to the alignment with NCF-SE. The use of digital content is particularly encouraged as a means to augment traditional textbooks, providing students with a more dynamic and engaging learning experience.
Safeguarding Content Sensitivity
A key aspect of the revised guidelines is the emphasis on content sensitivity. Whether using supplementary materials, digital content, or books from private publishers, schools are required to exercise extreme caution. The CBSE stresses that no educational content should contain material that could be deemed objectionable or offensive to any class, community, gender, or religious group. This directive is in line with CBSE’s broader commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students.
Accountability and Transparency
To ensure accountability, the CBSE has reiterated the requirement for schools to publicly disclose the list of prescribed books for all classes on their websites. This list must be accompanied by a written declaration, signed by both the Manager and the Principal of the school, affirming that they have thoroughly reviewed the contents of the prescribed books and take full responsibility for them. In the event that a school is found to be using books with objectionable content, the responsibility will lie with the school, and the CBSE will initiate appropriate action.
Amendments for Classes I to VIII
The revised guidelines strongly advise schools to adhere to NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) or SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) textbooks for students in Classes I to VIII. However, schools may supplement these with additional materials, provided they align with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). The CBSE emphasises that any supplementary materials chosen should not only reinforce the core content but also include discussions, analysis, examples, and practical applications.
This approach underscores the importance of a comprehensive educational experience, where students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also an understanding of its real-world applications. By aligning supplementary materials with national curriculum frameworks, the CBSE ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that is consistent across different states and schools.
Mandatory NCERT Books for Classes IX to XII
For students in Classes IX to XII, the CBSE has made it mandatory for schools to use NCERT textbooks as prescribed in the CBSE curriculum. In instances where NCERT or SCERT textbooks are not available for certain subjects, schools are instructed to use CBSE books that are available on the Board’s official website.
Schools may still incorporate supplementary materials and digital content to enhance the learning experience, but with strict adherence to the alignment with NCF-SE. The use of digital content is particularly encouraged as a means to augment traditional textbooks, providing students with a more dynamic and engaging learning experience.
Safeguarding Content Sensitivity
A key aspect of the revised guidelines is the emphasis on content sensitivity. Whether using supplementary materials, digital content, or books from private publishers, schools are required to exercise extreme caution. The CBSE stresses that no educational content should contain material that could be deemed objectionable or offensive to any class, community, gender, or religious group. This directive is in line with CBSE’s broader commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all students.
Accountability and Transparency
To ensure accountability, the CBSE has reiterated the requirement for schools to publicly disclose the list of prescribed books for all classes on their websites. This list must be accompanied by a written declaration, signed by both the Manager and the Principal of the school, affirming that they have thoroughly reviewed the contents of the prescribed books and take full responsibility for them. In the event that a school is found to be using books with objectionable content, the responsibility will lie with the school, and the CBSE will initiate appropriate action.