Only NCERT Books In CBSE Schools from 2017-18

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all its affiliated schools to use only NCERT books for the next academic session 2017-18. The step to make National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) study material mandatory for all CBSE schools has been done to standardise curriculum across lakhs of schools in the country.

The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by the HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar. “A review meeting was held recently with senior officials in the Ministry of HRD, and it was decided that all schools should follow NCERT curriculum as it will give uniformity to the syllabus taught in schools. Private publishers generally do not follow the guidelines while designing their syllabus, and hence instances like the recent cat-killing experiment surface,” said a senior official in NCERT.

With the new decision in place, all CBSE schools will follow only NCERT curriculum both for textbooks and workbooks. The board has also asked NCERT to print adequate books before the academic session begins.

Many CBSE affiliated schools that follow NCERT books, also use some books by private publishers, mostly for workbooks and experiments. The decision by the Ministry is a relief for millions of parents who are forced to purchase these textbooks, often at prices 300-600% higher than the NCERT books.

“NCERT will be printing and supplying adequate quantity of NCERT textbooks for all classes from 1 to 12 through its empaneled vendors and distributors,” a circular sent by CBSE to all its affiliated schools read.

A link has also been created on the CBSE website where schools can fill up their demand of books.

*With inputs from DNA India and Times of India