Delhi Chief Minister is the force behind the Delhi government's drive to overhaul school textbooks. She explains what prompted her and why the 'ideologies' should be kept out.
What makes you think that the SCERT can do the job?
We have some of the best minds in the country finding creative ways of explaining academic concepts to little kids. We have the poorest children coming to our schools. I think they deserve the best. We have involved good minds not only from universities but also institutes like the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. There are no ideologies here, no politics. Only good solid work for the sake of the children.
Do you think the books are going to come out in time?
By March 2004, our schools will have the new books.
These books are only for standard I to VIII. What about the other classes?
We will have to think about that. But for senior school there are public examinations. The children are affiliated to the CBSE. They will have to read what the CBSE prescribes. But we will think of something.
Why are you so passionately against the new NCERT books?
It’s not a question of politics. It’s what books can do to children. You can’t have books that promote hatred towards one community, books that divide the nation. A very delicate balance exists in the society. Nobody should be allowed to tamper with that. Besides, they are so mediocre in terms of academic standards. And believe me, what we are doing now has nothing to do with the NCERT. It’s a very novel venture. I think everyone, across party lines, should support it.