Upside down pictures of India's national flag, chapters to teach the Hindi alphabet that say 'b' for 'bomb' and 'ch' for 'chaku' (knife)...These glaring anomalies have surfaced in two textbooks used in some Uttar Pradesh schools.
u00a0
The books are being used under the state-run Uttar Pradesh board and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), leaving parents fretting and education authorities scurrying for cover.
ADVERTISEMENT
u00a0
A moral education book for Class 8 children titled "New Way Bloom" shows an inverted Indian tricolour - a top to bottom colour sequence of green, white and saffron - in at least five places.u00a0
u00a0
Bal Mukund, a basic shiksha adhikari or district education official of Moradabad, where the book is being used in a private school as part of the common syllabi of the NCERT under the Uttar Pradesh board, said it was a "serious offence" and action would be taken against the publishers.
u00a0
When contacted, the publishers said the book was being withdrawn from the market with immediate effect.u00a0
u00a0
"This is indeed a big blunder on our part," Ankur Julka, a staff member of Gurukul Publications, said.u00a0
u00a0
"We had outsourced the book designing to Book Zone in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, and due to an oversight, missed such a glaring mistake," he said.u00a0
u00a0
In the other blunder, children studying in nursery at many a private schools are being taught the 'varnmala' or Hindi alphabet in a bizarre format. The book titled "Aalok Shabd" says 'B' for 'bomb' and 'Ch' for 'chaku'.
u00a0
Stunned parents have brought this lacunae to the notice of the principals and teaching staff, which in turn lay the blame on the publisher.u00a0
u00a0
Shruti Ahuja, a parent, said this was unacceptable. "How can one teach such words to kids of that age? Or for that matter of any age?" she asked.u00a0
u00a0
Aarty Mishra Awasthy, a teacher by profession and a mother of two, was also angry.
u00a0
"I'm amazed at how such words and books get into the syllabi," she exclaimed, hinting that these books "slip through" the system after publishers tempt school managements with commissions.
u00a0
The book has shocked the CBSE authorities as the board rules out inclusion of "words that patronize and promote hatred, violence and negative mindset" in its books.
u00a0
CBSE city coordinator Javed Alam says strict action would be taken against the publishers of the 32-page book. "This sort of negative use of words cannot be tolerated," he said.u00a0
u00a0
The publishers of this book could not be contacted.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
