HRD Ministry Directs CBSE to Stop Printing Text Books

In the latest development, HRD Ministry has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education or CBSE to stop printing textbooks. The ministry further directed the Board to concentrate on its core objectives and maintain standards at affiliated schools. The ministry also gave clarity on the fact that the board is meant for conducting examinations, and it is not mandatory for the board to print the textbooks.

According to sources, CBSE will wind up its publishing operations with immediate effect following the directive of HRD Ministry. CBSE publishes around 300 school textbooks. Most of the affiliated schools of CBSE follow these textbooks. The cost of textbooks ranges from Rs. 13 to Rs. 700. Senior secondary level textbooks on Mass Media, Science and Engineering are too costly.

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Currently, there are 19,000 schools affiliated to CBSE. Most of these schools follow the textbooks prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education or CBSE.

Considering the various complaints raised by the parents regarding the cost of CBSE school textbooks, HRD Ministry has directed the board to stop publishing textbooks, and concentrate on its core objectives. Parents also claimed that CBSE is considering the printing of textbooks as a moneymaking venture, and acting against its principles.

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The Ministry will hold discussions between the academic council of the board and NCERT to discuss the modalities of the move’s impact. HRD Ministry has given the responsibility of formulating and printing the textbooks to NCERT. According to sources, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar also directed all the CBSE affiliated schools to use only NCERT books. CBSE also issued orders to all the affiliated schools to follow the NCERT books.