26 yrs on, board textbooks remain unchanged - Punjab School Education Board’s excuse: Not enough number of subject experts

Thursday, 12/07/2012

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120712/punjab.htm#1

Strange but true. For the past 26 years, Punjabi and English textbooks of the Punjab School Education Board for Classes XI and XII have not been revised. Reason, the board does not have subject experts, claimed senior officials.

Ironically, the authorities concerned are aware about the fact, but has not taken any initiative to upgrade the books and improve education standards.

The board recommends two English books (compulsory) for Class XI , "I Am The People; Stories, Plays and Tales of Adventure" and "Supplementary English Reader" for Class XII. There is one Punjabi book for students of Class XI and XII.

There is a huge difference in the academic standards between books taught in PSEB-affiliated schools and those prescribed for CBSE students. The CBSE recommends NCERT books with much emphasis on grammar. This is not the case with PSEB books, say teachers. A government schoolteacher said: "Teachers are bored of teaching the same books year after year.The board needs to revise its books."

Booksellers say they have been selling the same books for the past several years. When contacted, Vice-Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board, Suresh Tandon, said: "The English and Punjabi books for Class XI and XII have not been revised since 26 years. But the board is now planning to make some changes in the syllabi for these subjects."

Tandon said the board did not have sufficient number of subject experts.

A senior official in the board's academic planning wing, pleading anonymity, said: "No subject expert is being recruited. A revision in the syllabi is possible only if the board appoints subject experts."

He further said no one had raised the issue earlier.

Senior academicians, who have served as members of the board and its Academic Council, said increased political interference was responsible for the board malfunctioning".

A former member (1993-96) of the board, ML Chopra from Ropar, said: "The state government does not provide any financial assistance to the board, which is the major reaon for its poor performance. Faced with scarce funds and acute shortage of subject experts, the self-financed board copies most of the NCERT books. There is a need to revamp the board. Only then will its the functioning improve."

Puran Singh Sandhu from Moga, who was member of the board's Academic Council for three years, said: "It is the job of the Academic Council to revise books and update syllabus from time to time. The Academic Council meets at least once every quarter of year. But not many members participate in the proceedings as most are there because of political connections and have little expertise.

"The board functioning will automatically improve if the members are appointed on merit." He suggested that of there were no subject experts, the board officials could approach state universities for the same.

English teacher Prof Gopal Singh Makkar Mianwalia from Muktsar was of the view that new chapters related to modern times must be added and greater emphasis laid on speaking English as well as grammer.

‘Govt to blame’
The state government does not provide financial assistance to the school education board. There is a need to revamp the board which neither has sufficient funds nor subject experts due to which it just copies most of the NCERT books
— ML Chopra, former PSEB member

‘Council’s job’
It's the job of the Academic Council to revise books and update syllabi from time to time. But most members are there because of political connections and have little expertise. The board functioning will improve if the members are appointed on merit
— Puran Singh, ex-member of Academic Council