NCERT to Introduce New Textbooks Only for Classes 3 to 6, CBSE Informs Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has conveyed to its affiliated schools that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will introduce new syllabi and textbooks exclusively for classes 3rd to 6th for the academic year 2024-25, starting from April 1. This update comes via an official communication from the CBSE to school heads.

According to the communication, NCERT is currently developing new syllabi and textbooks for classes 3 to 6, aligning with the new national curriculum framework for school education (NCF-SE) 2023, as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The CBSE advises schools to transition to these new syllabi and textbooks for classes 3 and 6, replacing those published by NCERT until 2023.

NCERT is also working on a bridge course for class 6 and concise guidelines for class 3 to facilitate a smooth transition for students, introducing them to new pedagogical practices and areas of study aligned with NCF-SE 2023. These resources will be disseminated to schools online once they are received from NCERT.

Furthermore, the CBSE will organize capacity-building programs for school heads and teachers to familiarize them with the new teaching-learning perspectives envisioned in NEP-2020. However, there will be no alterations in the curriculum and textbooks for other classes for the academic year 2024-25.

The board has advised schools to incorporate methodologies such as Multilingualism, Art-Integrated Education, Experiential Learning, and Pedagogical Plans, as recommended in NCF-SE 2023, wherever feasible. It emphasizes adherence to guidelines concerning content, pedagogical strategies, assessment methodologies, and other pertinent areas communicated by the Board.

This development follows NCERT’s rationalization of syllabi for classes 6 to 12 in 2022 to reduce the content load on students amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. While the rationalization aimed to streamline curriculum delivery, it sparked political controversy over alleged selective omission of historical topics.