Non-SSC schools to use state board textbooks

Non-SSC schools will have to follow the state board textbooks only for history and geography from Classes 1 to 5, said a government resolution (GR) out on Thursday.

Non-SSC schools will have to follow the state board textbooks only for history and geography from Classes 1 to 5, said a government resolution (GR) out on Thursday.

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The GR overrides a previous one issued by the state in August 2009 that directed all ICSE, CBSE, IB and IGCSE schools to follow state board textbooks in all subjects from Classes 1 to 5.

“It is important for children to know the local history and geography. For other subjects schools can use whatever textbooks are suitable,” said Suvarna Kharat, under secretary, school education department.

“We have ordered our textbooks for this year but we will issue worksheets if anything is missing,” said Rohan Bhat, chairperson Children’s Academy group of schools. “It doesn’t make much of a difference as non-SSC boards have their own way of testing students.”

The 2009 GR said a no-objection certificate to non-SSC schools will have to be renewed on a three-year basis, an education officer will have to be present while appointing their staff and schools will have to teach Marathi as a second language.

The Unaided Schools’ Forum had written to the secretary of the education department questioning the GR, which they saw as government interference in the affairs of private schools.