CBSE recently updated its syllabus. This has let me aghast. I never thought that the standard of education would denigrate to such an extent in our country. Though, there’re many subjects, I would like to discuss the changes in Accountancy, Economics and Hindi (Class 9th and 10th).
Accountancy
In class 12th Accountancy, Accounting for NPOs has been discarded, which I really support. It can be concluded in 11th. It doesn’t fit in any category as prescribed in the syllabus, Partnership and companies.
From the Partnership Accounting book, Admission of a partner and Retirement or death of a partner have been discarded. From the companies’ accounting book, Accounting for Debentures has been discarded.
I don’t personally support the removal of these three chapters because, even though Accountancy is a hard subject, no other subject can substitute or challenge its utility. Students should have a complete knowledge in this domain.
Economics
Class 11th Economics is divided into two parts, Statistics and Microeconomics, while class 12th Economics is divided into two parts as well, Indian Economic Development and Macroeconomics. I support this development as well.
In this way, students don’t need to cram both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics in one year. Since Statistics and Indian Economic Development are easy subjects, they can be studied compatibly along with the mainstream economics.
Applied Mathematics
This has been introduced in this year itself. This subject has only those chapters which are relevant in real life. It also has various chapters related to Statistics such as probability and measurement of central tendency. If such change was introduced in my time, I would definitely have opted for it.
Hindi
The chapters which are presently considered in Class 9th’s Hindi literature are as follows-
Kshitij
- Upbhoktavaad ki Sanskriti- Shyamcharan Dubey
This is indeed a good essay which depicts how marketing has changed the world and is impacting our day to day lives. It also promotes minimalism.
Even after being set in the last century, it is an all time relevant essay.
- Kutta aur Maina- Hazariprasad Dwivedi
I don’t appreciate this chapter. Students of this era should know of the realities of all the so called nationalist leaders. Because of this, I don’t believe that Rabindranath Tagore needs any glorification.
- Saakhiyaan aur Sabad- Kabir
This was indeed a good piece of poetry. But rather, it might’ve been left in the curriculum because the board might not find any other way out to promote atheism and Hinduphobia as this composition can be.
- Santo Bhai Aai- Kabir
If positively taken, this chapter promotes minimalism and selfless devotion.
- Gram Shri- Sumitranandan Pant
This chapter is a beautiful personification of a village landscape. Sumitranandan Pant himself was from Almora.
Kritika
- Is Jal Pralay Mein- Phanishwarnath Renu
The author, who is from Bihar, writes an account of the floods and how people dealt with them.
- Kis Tarah Aakhirkar Main Hindi Mein Aaya
The author describes how from English, he started writing in Hindi. Basically, his journey is described.
Removed Chapters
Kshitij
- Do Bailon Ki Katha- Premchand
The chapter deals with the affection of two bulls with their master.
- Lhasa Ki Or- Rahul Sankrityayan
This is basically a travelogue of travelling to Lhasa that it is situated in Tibet.
- Saanvle Sapnon Ki Yaad
The chapter discusses about Salim Ali and his love for birds.
- Nana Saheb ki Putri Devi Maina ko Bhasm Kar Diya Gaya
The chapter is set in the times of revolt of 1857. Nana Saheb of Bithoor had to vacate and surrender. A British soldier had mercy over his daughter but on the orders of the British Parliament, the palace is set on fire.
- Premchand Ke Phate Joote
This chapter describes the penury under which Premchand lived that he didn’t have good shoes to get his picture clicked. I think, removing the chapter was a right step because it isn’t a big issue. But yes, it raises a question over the life of authors of the colonial era.
- Mere Bachpan Ke Din- Mahadevi Verma
The writer writes in the memoir about her childhood and her hostel days.
- Vaakh- Laladyad
Removing these compositions was right because they promoted atheism and criticized the Indian traditional values.
- Savaiye- Raskhan
Raskhan was a Muslim trader who converted to Hinduism and was an ardent devotee of Shri Krishna.
Perhaps, the leftists cannot tolerate a Muslim praising Hindu Deities, that’s why the chapter was removed.
- Kaidi aur Kokila
The chapter discusses a poetic conversation between a prisoner of colonial times and a cuckoo bird. Atrocities done by British on prisoners are mentioned.
- Chandra Gehna Se Lautti Ber
Personification of various crops in a farm situated in a village.
- Megh Aye
This is literally an iconic poem. It personifies clouds into guests and various other guests. This poem has its own vibe if read at the time when it’s raining. I’ve experienced it.
- Yamraj Ki Disha
This composition wasn’t as important. The poet discusses that his mother told him in his childhood that while sleeping, one should point his feet towards the south direction.
- Bacche Kaam Par Jaa Rahe Hain
This poem is written against child labour.
Kritika
- Matiwali- Vidyasagar Nautiyal
This text shouldn’t have been removed. It depicted the struggle of sand miner who had to take care of her sick husband. Alongside,plight of people was also discussed who were displaced during the construction of Tehri Dam.
- Mere Sang Ki Auratein- Mridula Garg
The writer shares her nostalgia about her childhood. She also writes about the ladies of her family, her mother, grandmother and her sisters.The chapter shouldn’t have been removed since it presents a clear picture of feminism of 70’s.
- Reedh ki Haddi
This is a skit in which a father has to get his daughter married to a man who doesn’t like educated ladies. However, the girl herself unveils the truth after seeing the man that he was eve teasing girls at their college hostel and was insultingly expelled as a result. This also shouldn’t have been removed.
Now, let’s discuss about the chapters in class 10th Hindi Literature.
Kshitij
- Dev
This chapter basically had medieval Brijbhasha poetry. I think, it shouldn’t have been discarded. Now, that so many compositions in vernacular dialects are being removed from the curriculum, students will soon lose touch with the vibrance of their culture.
- Aatmkathya- Jayshankar Prasad
The poet expresses his response to people why he doesn’t want to write his autobiography. Even if it is compact, yet it is powerful.
- Stree Shiksha Ke Virodhi Kutarkon Ka Khandan
This is a feminist essay stating from the scriptures that women should be educated.
- Sanskriti
The essay discusses about the differences between Sanskriti (culture) and Sabhyata (civilization).
Kritika
- Ehi Thaiyya Jhulni Herani ho Rama
I don’t think this chapter should be there in this syllabus. The age at which students get to read this story is not appropriate. In this chapter, a teenager falls in love with a prostitute who is of his mother’s age. The story is set in the times of Independence Struggle.
It can boost nationalism but at the same time can corrupt the mindset of the students.
- Main Kyon Likhta Hoon- Agyay
The author discusses why he writes. He differentiates between Anubhav(experience) and Anubhooti (Absorption).
Removed Chapters
Kshitij
- Pad- Surdas
Describes the plight of Gopis after Shri Krishna leaves for Mathura and sends a message for them through Uddhav that they should meditate.
- Ram Lakshman Parshuram Samvad- Tulsidas
This is an excerpt from Ramcharitmanas, where Shri Ram breaks Lord Shiv’s bow at the Sita Mata’s swayamvar.
- Savaiye
The chapter had various poetic compositions about miscellaneous topics in Brijbhasha.
- Danturit Muskan
The poet praises the beauty of an infant.
- Chhaya Mat Choona- Girija Kumar Mathur
The poet preaches people to come out of nostalgia and live in present.
- Kanyadaan
In the poem, a mother gives her daughter some life lessons before getting her married. This chapter shouldn’t have been removed, because it is full of various life skills.
- Sangatkar- Mangalesh Dabral
The poet discusses that assistants also play a role in the performances of a leader. Thus, they should also be valued. This composition preaches leadership values, thus it shouldn’t have been removed.
- Netaji ka Chashma
The story is about a street optician who sets one of the spectacles of his collection on the eyes of Subhash Chandra Bose’s statue because the statue didn’t have one of its own.
- Balgobin Bhagat
This is an account of a devotee who kept on singing.
- Maanviye Karuna Ki Divya Chamak
It was a bio sketch of Camille Bulcke, who was a Belgian Jesuit priest in India.
But I don’t think it should there be in the syllabus. I appreciate its removal. The chapter just glorified the evangelization, nothing else.
- Ek Kahaani Yeh Bhi- Mannu Bhandari
The writer discusses extensively about her childhood, family, what did she read and how did she start on with her nationalist movements in Ajmer.
- Naubaatkhaane Mein Ibaadat
It described the life of Bismillah Khan, who blew Shehnai at the gates of Kashi Vishwanath temple in Kashi. He was awarded Bharat Ratna.
Kritika
- Mata ka Aanchal- Shivpujan Sahay
The author shares his nostalgia about his childhood, friends and how he was connected with his parents.
- George Pancham ki Naak- Kamleshwar
In this story, to welcome the British Royal Family, the Indian officers seek to correct the broken nose of George V’s statue. When they couldn’t find a solution, they stuck a real nose to it.
- Sana Sana Hath Jodi
This is travelogue of Gangtok, Yumthang valley and Katao in Sikkim.
Conclusion
I feel really disheartened that many of the chapters which’ve been removed were so good. I can’t even locate a single reason of why they might’ve been removed.
In class 10th, out of 23 chapters, only 7 are remaining in the syllabus. Also in class 9th, out of 22 chapters, only 7 are remaining in the syllabus.
This is a deterioration of educational infrastructure. Students will pass, but they won’t be educated in real sense.
Also, students won’t be able to learn how to appreciate and enjoy literature.
After completing 8th, students previously had an avenue to explore, which they’re now going to miss.
I literally remember the time these chapters were taught to us, and they were really inclusive.
Literature books of both the classes combined are not more than a hundred pages. Now, with the changed curricula, they wouldn’t stand more than a fifty pages.
The latest syllabi can be completed in a matter of two months.
Seems like this is a ploy to discard all the texts related to Bhakti such as Balgobin Bhagat, pad, savaiye etc. Most of the works of vernacular languages have also been discarded that shows that students are being manipulated to be ashamed of their own cultures.
The students, now have this responsibility upon themselves, to develop a taste of literature on their own.
There are plenty of places online, where they can get to read texts. Reading drives ignorance away.
