There has been a big debate in Odisha following a discovery of as many as 1,678 errors in new textbooks for Classes 1-8 in government schools. The errors contain incorrect information and some factual errors, including misidentified historical buildings, images and places, which have warranted a state government investigation of the publishing process.
Perhaps one of the most obvious mistakes was the appointment of great scientist Sir Isaac Newton as “great pilot”. The books also were said to have marked a picture of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly as being the photograph of Odisha Assembly and described a photograph of the Hampi temple complex as that of the Konark Sun Temple.
These errors were discovered when teachers reported concerns with content. The state government has started an investigation into how such errors made it past the review process, following complaints.
Amid the controversy the Odisha government has taken a decision not to remove the books which have already been issued for the current academic year. Instead new editions will be issued to all schools via District Education Officers (DEOs) and headmasters with correct content replacing the old one so as to avoid disruption of classroom teaching.
Noting that the defective textbooks would be replaced in the classrooms with correct content, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond said students won’t be forced to discontinue their learning.
The Minister has also appointed the details inquiry against negligence officials from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to look into the matter and directed a detailed inquiry. The Chief Minister has also made a 14-point advisory to beef up the process of writing, reviewing, publishing and dissemination of textbooks in future to avoid such mistakes.
The government says they will take “drastic measures” against anybody responsible after the investigation.