The Kerala government has decided to scrutinise the text books that are being followed in the entire private sector schools in the state. This is being done as it has come to the notice of the government that many private schools are teaching non-secular contents to its students. The schools affiliated to both CBSE and ICSE will come under the government scanner.
“We have given directions to all district authorities to monitor the contents of text books that are being taught in the private schools,” an official at the DPI told THE WEEK.
It is learnt that the decision has been taken in the wake of the controversies involving Peace Group schools which had allegedly taught sensitive contents in their schools.
According to the official, the step has been taken as the education department has been getting complaints from parents and others regarding the secular nature of the content. “The schools affiliated to CBSE and ICSE have the freedom to choose the content to a great extent though it has to be with in the framework stipulated by the respective boards. Many schools, especially those being run by religious institutions, are making use of this loophole and are teaching non-secular contents in their schools. This has to be checked,'' she said.
She said that the monitoring has already been started. “But from the next academic year onwards, every book being taught by every school will be monitored and assessed by the government,'' she added.
The Kozhikode-based Peace Foundation, which runs 10 schools in various parts of the state, had courted controversy after a departmental inquiry had found that the textbooks being used at schools were "aimed towards the propagation of ideas contradicting the secular policies of the country.''
The official said that similar issues have been noticed in certain schools run by bodies affiliated to RSS, too.
“It is the duty of the government to ensure that children are taught secular values in schools. Our step is in that direction,'' she said.
