Latest news with #Democracy:AnIndianExperience
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kerala's curriculum panel approves new chapter on Governor's duties in Class 10 textbook
Thiruvananthapuram, A curriculum committee, set up by the Kerala General Education Department, has approved a new chapter in the Class10 textbook in state-run schools that explains the constitutional powers and duties of state Governors. Kerala's curriculum panel approves new chapter on Governor's duties in Class 10 textbook The meeting of the panel, headed by General Education Minister V Sivankutty, approved the new contents in textbooks of Class second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth, an official statement said here. The new chapter on the Governor's powers was included in the Class 10 textbook amidst an ongoing tussle between the Kerala government and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the name of the display of Bharat Mata portrait. The powers and duties of the Governor are discussed in detail in the chapter titled 'Democracy: An Indian Experience' in the second volume of the social science textbook of the Class 10, according to the statement issued on Friday. The particular chapter also explains the crisis in Indian democracy, the Supreme Court's ruling that abolished the electoral bonds, and resort politics, the statement further said. The revised textbooks would reach the children before the Onam holidays. During the meeting, the curriculum committee also gave permission for holding detailed discussions in classrooms in connection with the revision of higher secondary textbooks to collect the opinions of students, teachers, and parents, and begin its compilation after organising symposiums at the district and state levels, it added. Minister Sivankutty, last month, had announced that school textbooks would soon include content explaining the constitutional powers and duties of state Governors, saying schools are the ideal place to learn the values of democracy. A tussle has been going on between Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in the state for some time over the display of Bharat Mata portrait in Raj Bhavan during official functions. General Education Minister Sivankutty recently walked out of a programme attended by the Governor, citing the display of the portrait at the venue. His cabinet colleague and Agricultural Minister P Prasad also boycotted a function at Raj Bhavan, citing a similar reason. The Raj Bhavan had expressed strong displeasure over the ministers' act. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Resort politics' among topics in Class X textbook in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In addition to the powers and responsibilities of governors, Class X students in state syllabus schools will be familiarised with contemporary issues such as 'resort politics' — a disparaging reference to when political parties squirrel away their legislators to vacation hideaways to stave off defections — and the Supreme Court verdict striking down electoral bonds. These topics will figure in the second volume of the revised Class X social studies textbook, that was approved by the curriculum committee on Friday. General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who chaired the meeting, said the revised second volume of textbooks for classes II, IV, VI, VIII and X would reach students before the Onam vacation. 'The school textbooks are being revised after a decade and subjects such as social science that deal with political, economic and sociological concepts would require students to be familiarised with contemporary issues for better understanding,' State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) director Jayaprakash R said. The official said topics such as electoral bonds and 'resort politics' have been mentioned without references to specific political parties. While electoral bonds have been mentioned to highlight the importance of transparency in democracy, the textbook mentions 'resort politics' as a threat to democracy while elaborating on defection by elected members. 'These two topics come under the chapter 'Democracy: An Indian Experience.' The idea is to encourage classroom discussions on contemporary issues and generate interest and awareness among students,' the official said. Though the Emergency imposed in the country during the 1975-77 period had been mentioned in previous textbooks, it will be dealt with in more detail in the revised textbook under a separate subhead , titled 'Emergency: A Crisis in Indian Democracy'. The move assumes significance in the wake of the Emergency becoming a major talking point during its 50th anniversary this year. 'Guv's duties' in social science textbook Gubernatorial duties and responsibilities have been explained in the same chapter in part II of the Class 10 social science textbook. Interestingly, the Left government's decision to incorporate the topic in the second volume of Class 10 textbooks comes amid tensions with the Raj Bhavan on various issues. Plus-II textbook revision Sivankutty said textbooks of the state higher secondary course will be revised after through discussion with all stakeholders. The curriculum committee has directed state-level workshops be conducted for finalising the textbooks.
