No attempt to propagate Communism in Text book: Baby

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 18: The Curriculum Committee which looked into the controversial Class VII Social Science Textbook opined the book did not reflect any explicit attempt to propagate Communist ideology and negate the importance of religion in human life, Kerala Education Minister M A Baby told the Assembly.

Making a statement in the Floor of the Assembly, he said the Committee had pointed out the book only attempted to inculcate the values of humanism, secularism and democracy and did not propagate Communist ideology as alleged by the Opposition.

The Committee said the book only projected the positive aspects of religion and felt the manner in which religion was referred to in the textbook could be revised to avoid any possible misinterpretation.

It felt the book was framed according to the requirements of critical pedagogy, enabling the students to acquire knowledge through interrogation of social reality.

Stating the Committee did not feel the need to withdraw the book, Mr Baby said it was recommended the title ''Mathamillatha Jeevan'' (Life without religion) of a chapter be changed.

The Minister said the Committee sought the revision of reference books and a fresh translation for the English version.

Mr Baby said they were only interim recommendations and the final report would be submitted very soon.

UNI