The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a detailed notification outlining amendments to the Affiliation By-Laws 2018, specifically concerning the use of textbooks. These changes, effective from August 12, 2024, are aimed at standardizing educational resources across affiliated schools.
Key amendments to Rule 2.4.7 include:
- Classes 1 to 8: Schools are required to exclusively use textbooks prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) or State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Guidelines for the use of supplementary materials have also been provided.
- Classes 9 to 12: Similar to lower classes, schools must adhere strictly to NCERT/SCERT textbooks. Specific instructions have been issued regarding the use of alternative textbooks if NCERT/SCERT options are unavailable.
- Supplementary Materials: Extreme caution must be exercised to ensure that supplementary materials do not contain content that could be deemed offensive or insensitive to any community, including considerations of gender, class, religion, or other groups.
Additionally, the amended Rule 2.4.7.1 stipulates that schools must publish a list of prescribed textbooks on their websites. This list must be accompanied by a written declaration from the Manager and Principal, affirming that they have reviewed the content of the prescribed books and assume responsibility for their appropriateness. This update follows recent directives from the Delhi Education Department, which banned the use of non-NCERT/SCERT textbooks in its recognized schools. The full CBSE notification can be accessed HERE.
