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- Revised NCERT Text Books on Internet Soon : Dr.Joshi
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Revised NCERT Text Books on Internet Soon : Dr.Joshi
New Delhi; The revised text of NCERT's books will be put on Internet soon, to facilitate inviting of suggestions and criticisms. This indicates Government's Policy of openness and inambiguity regarding the revision of the school syllabus, said Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Union Minister for Human Resource Development here today while inaugurating a 3-day All India Urdu Conference organised by National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL). Dr. Joshi said this will also expose those vested interests raising doubts about the Government's intentions. The aim is only to reduce the burden of the children, make them learn to pay equal respect for all religions as well as know about India's diverse culture and tradition.
Referring to the Bill on Right to Education already passed by the Lok Sabha, Dr. Joshi said it would go a long way in providing free education to children between 6-14 years helping in the progress of all communities across the length and breadth of the country. He said that the Government's focus will be to make education more science-based and career oriented. Special steps are also being taken for the education of children of the minority communities. He clarified that all these are being done within the ambit of 1986 Education Policy. Referring to deletion of objectionable references from textbooks, the Minister said that it would help in the children growing up to be more tolerant, non-violent and unprejudiced citizens of the country. He, however, stressed that religious teachings will not find place in the NCERT's books.
Outlining the steps taken for the promotion of Urdu, Dr. Joshi pointed out the Budget for its promotion has been increased eight fold in the last three years. More than hundred Computer Centres have been opened in different parts of the country for Urdu speaking children, to enable them get better jobs. An Advisory Council is already in place for the promotion of Urdu, headed by the Prime Minister. Dr. Joshi pointed out that to come into the national mainstream, languages should not be confined to religions, as they belong to the whole country. Urdu has an important place in India's history and its development and it, along with other major languages of the country, will be developed, the Minister added.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Rita Verma, Minister of State for HRD said that as an instance of the Government's commitment to the development of Urdu language, all NCERT's textbooks till class 12th are also available in Urdu. She also stressed upon the need for encouraging Urdu calligraphy, a known art form, and said that the Ministry was already supporting some projects in this regard. Secretary, Department of Higher and Secondary Education, Shri B. K. Chaturvedi, Shri Rafiq Zakaria, former MP and Shri Gopi Chand Narang, Vice-Chairman, NCPUL also spoke on the occasion. Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, during the function, also gave away certificates to students who had stood first in NCPUL Computer Courses.
