After reports said the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) removed the Preamble from textbooks, NCERT said, 'the allegations do not have sound basis'. adding that, for the first time, they are giving importance to various facets of the Indian Constitution- the Preamble, Fundamental Duties, Fundamental Rights and the National Anthem. All these are being placed in various textbooks of various stages.' Reports were claiming that the preamble to the constitution has been removed from Several class 3 and 6 books issued by NCERT this year.
The council has revised textbooks for all classes between 2005-06 and 2007-08, after the introduction of NEP. The new books have been issued for classes 3rd and 6th following the National Curriculum Framework.
However, the report says, none of the new Class 3 books for Hindi, English, Maths and World Around Us (which replaces EVS) has a printed preamble. While, the old EVS book, Looking Around, and Hindi, Rimjhim 3, did have the preamble. In the old Class 6 books, the preamble was printed on one of the first few pages of the Hindi book 'Durva', the English book 'Honey Suckle', the Science book, and all the three EVS books – 'Our Pasts-I', 'Social and Political Life-1' and 'The Earth Our Abode'.
In the newly released books, the preface appears only in the science book "Curiosity" and the Hindi book "Malhar". Instead of three separate environmental studies, NCERT has published one single book titled Exploring Society: India and Beyond, which does not include the Preamble but covers fundamental rights and duties.
Rejecting the allegations, the council says, 'allegations regarding the removal of the Preamble from the NCERT textbooks do not have a sound basis.'
Student's knowledge should not be limited
According to NCERT, the knowledge of the students should not be limited to the preamble. They should acquire constitutional values from fundamental duties, fundamental rights, and the national anthem. "The understanding that only the Preamble reflects the Constitution and Constitutional Values is flawed and narrow. Why should children not acquire Constitutional Values from Fundamental Duties, Fundamental Rights and the National Anthem along with Preamble? We give equal importance to all of these for the holistic development of children following the vision of NEP - 2020," NCERT said.
