Post row, CBSE says revised syllabus being 'interpreted differently'; clarifies stand

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Wednesday clarified that all bruhaha created around rationalization of syllabus from class 9 to 12 is unwarranted, asserting that "each of topics that have been wrongly mentioned in media as deleted have been covered under alternative academic calendar of NCERT."

CBSE issued statement after a controversy broke after key chapters like Democratic Rights, Food Security in India, Federalism, Citizenship, and Secularism were dropped from school courses to reduce burden on students as Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent preventive measures disrupted functioning of schools.

board said that rationalization has been "interpreted differently". It had on Tuesday said that syllabus for 2020-21 would be reduced by 30% owing to "extraordinary situation".

board today also clarified that question will be asked from rationalized syllabus in Board Exams 20-21 only.

" schools have also been directed to follow Alternative Academic Calendar prepared by NCERT for transacting curriculum. refore, each of topics that have been wrongly mentioned in media as deleted have been covered under Alternative Academic Calendar of NCERT which is already in force for all affiliated schools of Board," official statement by CBSE read.

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Board reiterated that topics being mentioned "as dropped are eir being covered by rationalized syllabus or in Alternative Academic Calendar of NCERT".

This move by CBSE enthralled massive flak from all quarters of Opposition, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who took to Twitter and urged HRD ministry to reinstate all crucial matter rationilsed by board.

Some of chapters removed from syllabus included secularism, nationalism, federalism, demonetisation, GST, India's foreign relations with neighbouring countries, and citizenship in a bid to make up for academic loss that happened due to COVID-enforced shutdown. 

Speaking on issue, Union Human Resource Development Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', on Tuesday took to Twitter and had said, "Looking at extraordinary situation prevailing in country and world, CBSE was advised to revise curriculum and reduce course load for students of classes 9 to 12. Considering importance of learning achievement, it has been decided to rationalise syllabus up to 30% by retaining core concepts."

READ | CBSE Revised Curriculum For 2020-21: Up To 30% Syllabus Rationalized For Class 9-12

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