Chapters on social reformers among key inclusions in textbooks

The inclusion of chapters on Basavanna, Sangolli Rayanna and Savitribai Phule are among the changes to be effected in the state textbooks based on the recommendations of the textbook revision committee headed by writer Baragur Ramachandrappa. 

Ramachandrappa had sent the recommendations to Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Tanveer Sait.

Class VIII Sanskrit students will study about Akkamahadevi and Class VII Sanskrit students will study about Basavanna. Class VII Tulu textbooks will have one unit on the life of Narayana Guru. A unit on Hajabba, a fruit and vegetable vendor who built educational institutions, for Class VIII students is among the other suggestions.

Class VII social science textbooks will have a topic on ‘Sufi movement,’ in addition to the existing ‘Bhakti movement’. Class VIII students will have a chapter on human rights in social science textbooks, besides lessons on the selection process and administration in state and central public service commissions.

Language textbooks should have an introduction on the best writers in Kannada, English and other languages, the committee has recommended. For instance, the previous textbooks did not have any piece penned by noted writer Masti Venkatesha Iyengar. This time, a part of his play ‘Yashodhara’ will be included.

The books will also have lessons on Siddaiah Puranik, Shantarasa, Simpi Linganna and other writers from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

‘Blade Runner’ dropped

The committee has recommended that the chapter ‘Blade Runner’ on Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius be removed from the textbook as it will set a negative example for children. He has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend. Students will learn V K Gokak’s poem ‘The Song of India’ in one of the non-Kannada textbooks.

Other recommendations

Class X Tamil students to have chapter on Adikavi Pampa
‘Bhasha Bandhavya’ chapter to be added in Marathi books
‘Apna Karnataka’ chapter to be added in Class VII Hindi textbook
Urdu textbooks to have a chapter on national integration
Images in maths textbooks of Class I to VII have been
revised
Complex chapters have been removed from primary and high school maths books