STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Putting an end to debate over the adoption of Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) textbooks, the authorities have claimed that these books are compliant with National Curriculum Framework 2005.
The JKBOSE in a statement issued here on Wednesday brought to the notice of general public and the stakeholders in particular that the Board has reviewed and developed syllabi, courses of studies and textbooks from 1st (primary) to class 12th as per the guidelines and recommendations of National Curriculum Framework-2005 which is a seminal document on the National Education Policy so as to have uniformity in the education system throughout the country. The BOSE textbooks are appropriate, following all NCERT standards in this regard. The fact of the matter is that JKBOSE books are developed keeping such documents in mind.
The JKBOSE statement asserted that people with vested interests keep on voicing that these books are below standard because their own books, in many cases, are lacking in what should be prescribed or expected at a particular age. “The JKBOSE books seem easy because they don’t focus on knowledge giving in the form of information but knowledge construction by way of thinking and doing. This is the spirit behind these books. This has facilitated our students to compete at national and international levels and have enough content on local aspects enabling children to understand the society in which they live”, the statement said adding over the years the JKBOSE has improved the quality of printing and content, and is in constant process of evolution.
“The JKBOSE has signed MOU with NCERT to adopt and adapt the contents. There is no question of producing low quality of textbooks as compared to that of private publishers. Moreover, the BOSE textbooks are cost effective and are affordable to all sections”, the statement said.
“The JKBOSE textbooks are 80-85 per cent NCERT based and almost 15 per cent of the content is modified by the State experts to include the local context”, the statement added.
As per Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education Act 1975, Chapter-II, Section-9, Sub Section-(i), the JKBOSE has the mandate to prescribe the courses of instructions, prepare curricula and detailed syllabi and also prescribe textbooks for the elementary, secondary school and higher secondary school examinations. Furthermore, under Sub Section (xxviii) the JKBOSE has mandate to undertake editing, printing and publication of textbooks for various courses as the Board may deem proper and viable, the statement maintained.
“The subject expert panel for the development of JKBOSE textbooks consists of reputed teachers, writers, academicians and translators”, the statement asserted. Meanwhile, CBSE from Academic Session 2017 onwards shall prescribe the textbooks of NCERT as per the guidelines of NCF-2005 to ensure uniformity of course content.