1 hr ago
Odisha Finds 1,741 Textbook Errors, Opposition Demands Minister’s Resignation
The Odisha government found many mistakes in schoolbooks for children in Classes I to VIII.
There were 1,741 reported errors.
The mistakes included wrong information, pictures, language and concepts.
The government said it was sending corrected books to students.
It has spent about Rs 175 crore printing and distributing the books.
Several officials faced disciplinary action, and three deputy directors were suspended.
Opposition parties said the education minister should take responsibility and resign.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said the government had already acted against the officials responsible.
The dispute caused repeated interruptions in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The Odisha government told the Odisha Legislative Assembly that 1,741 errors were found in textbooks for Classes I to VIII.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond said corrected textbooks were being supplied and that printing and distribution cost about Rs 175 crore.
Action was taken against 10 people, disciplinary proceedings began against six deputy directors, and three deputy directors were suspended.
An inquiry reportedly found errors involving content, concepts, facts, pictures and language, along with weaknesses in academic review.
The Biju Janata Dal and Indian National Congress demanded Gond’s resignation, while the Bharatiya Janata Party government defended its corrective and disciplinary measures.
- Who
- The Odisha government, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, opposition parties and education officials are involved.
- What
- The government acknowledged 1,741 errors in textbooks for Classes I to VIII and reported corrective and disciplinary measures.
- Where
- The issue was discussed in the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- When
- The admission was made on Friday during the Monsoon Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly; proceedings had been disrupted for four consecutive days.
- Why
- The errors prompted concerns about textbook preparation and review, while opposition parties cited them as grounds for ministerial accountability.
Opposition position
Government position
Ministerial accountability
Opposition position
The Biju Janata Dal and Indian National Congress said the scale of the textbook errors makes Nityananda Gond responsible as the minister in charge and demanded his resignation.
Government position
The Bharatiya Janata Party government said action had already been taken against officials responsible for the lapses, and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Ashok Mohanty defended Gond’s continuation.
Response to textbook errors
Opposition position
The opposition focused on the failures in preparing, reviewing and approving textbooks and used the issue to protest in the legislature.
Government position
The government emphasized that corrected and error-free textbooks were being supplied and that disciplinary proceedings and suspensions had begun.
Assembly disruptions
Opposition position
Biju Janata Dal and Indian National Congress members entered the Well of the House and raised slogans, with the Biju Janata Dal also announcing protests and an Assembly gherao.
Government position
The government maintained that corrective measures were underway, while proceedings continued to be disrupted during the Monsoon Session.
Key facts
- Errors detected
- 1,741
- Affected textbooks
- Classes I to VIII
- Printing and supply cost
- About Rs 175 crore
- People facing action
- 10 people
- Deputy directors under disciplinary proceedings
- Six
- Deputy directors suspended
- Three, including a former director
- Opposition demand
- School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond’s resignation
Sources
Related news
Panel Finds Weak Review Behind 1,700 Odisha Textbook Errors
Odisha Textbook Errors Spur Protests, Calls for Minister’s Resignation
BJD Youth, Student Wings Plan Assembly Gherao Over Textbook Errors
Odisha Opposition Demands Minister’s Resignation Over Textbook Errors
Odisha Students Demand Minister’s Exit Over Textbook Errors
Odisha BJD MLAs Protest Textbook Errors, Seek Education Minister's Resignation
Women Wrestlers Challenge Brij Bhushan Acquittal in Sexual Harassment Case
CPM Leader Alleges Election Chief Had Mandate to Manipulate Elections
Delhi Congress Protests, Demands CEC Resignation Over SIR Row
ADR Finds 111 Lawmakers Changed Parties After Winning Elections