Only NCERT Books at all CBSE Schools (Std 1 to 12) (Academic Session 2017-18)

CBSE schools will have to use NCERT textbooks from the 2017-18 academic session. The move to make National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) study materials mandatory for all Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools across the country is expected to standardise the curriculum across schools in the country.

The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Union minister for human resource development Prakash Javadekar. It is a welcome relief for millions of parents forced by schools to purchase textbooks from private publishers, often at prices 300-600% higher than the NCERT books.

The MHRD decision comes after complaints by schools and parents about schools selling expensive books by private publishers. “Many schools have book kiosks on their premises. As well as selling exorbitantly priced textbooks from private publishers, these shops sell ‘bundle packs’ that include pencils, erasers, and other stationery, which would cost a lot less for parents in the open market. We have also noticed that private publishers are sponsoring several school heads on junkets to countries like Switzerland,” a senior HRD official said.

(Source – Times of India -16 Feb 2017)