From srik_v@hotmail.com Wed Jul 24 10:46:24 2002
"Eklavya Hoshangabad" <eklavyah@sify.com>
07/24/02 04:16 AM
Subject: SSTP -
Update 13 (Social Science
programme threatened)
CORRECTION:
Please correct Shri N. Ram's email-id that we had
circulated earlier. ( nr@vsnl.com.) Do not use this id. The correct one is nrram@thehindu.co.in. Sorry for
inconvenience.
Eklavya Social Science programme threatened
24-7-02
Dear Friends,
We are sure you would all be aware of the pressure being
mounted on Eklavya school programmes in the recent months. We would like to
share with you some fresh developments, this time regarding the Social
Science Programme.
Ever since the Hoshangabad District Planning Council
passed a resolution at the behest of the BJP MLA to recommend the closure of
the science programme, the MLA has been campaigning against the Social Science
programme. He has sited a number of reasons, some of which are as follows:
i. The texts mention that meat eating
was common among Rg Vedic Aryans
ii. ... that they indulged in animal sacrifice
in Vedic yagnas especially of
cows
iii.
that the Aryans came from central asia
iv. that Brahmins claimed that they were
entitled to superior status
because they came from the mouth of the God (why are they
raking up a dead issue
and instigating people?)
v. that Ayurveda developed in the post
Mauryan phase (when it actually
declined because of the Buddhist emphasis on ahimsa)
vi. that Muslims came to India as traders
(when we all know that they
came as invaders)
vii.
that conversions to Islam took place also because of preaching
(when in actual fact people were forcibly converted)
viii.
The civics chapters show people agitating for water and other civic
amenities and leading protest marches against the ward
members (this would
instigate children into extremist activities) etc. etc.
Meanwhile an application was sent to the director, SCERT
for routine orders for the continuation of the programme (in March 2002). She
replied that in the light of the DPC recommendation, orders for continuation
would depend upon the decision taken by the govt on the entire issue. This interpretation of the decision of the
DPC was unwarranted as the DPC neither discussed the social science programme
nor did it pass a blanket resolution against all Eklavya programmes.
Subsequently we were asked to
submit a note on the programme which we did on 22 June 2002. We also wrote
to the CM in this regard, but have not received any reply so far. The orders
for continuation of the programme had
to be issued before the
end of June but there has been no intimation to date.
On 3rd July the govt of MP ordered the closure of the
Hoshangabad Science Teaching Programme in Hoshangabad district. It seems that
not issuing orders for the
continuation of the Social Science programme is a part of the larger scheme of
not allowing alternative curriculur packages to function in the state.
The timing of the decision is significant - there is a
nationwide uproar over the NCERT's tampering with social science curriculum at
the behest of the right wing forces and there is a debate over the possible
alternatives to it. The MP govt by closing down the social science programme of
Eklavya has in effect undermined the possibility of building an alternative to
the NCERT's vision. This calls for both effective protest and debating the
issues in all forums.
You could protest to the CM and also address a copy to
the members of the state advisory board of education (SABE). Please do mark a
copy to us.
Thanks and more later,
Yours in solidarity,
Subbu, Rashmi, Arvind, Yemuna, Ram, Sanjay, Gautam and
Amman
For Eklavya and the Social Science Programme
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lot!
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