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Odisha Textbook Errors Spur Protests, Calls for Minister’s Resignation
Some schoolbooks in Odisha were found to contain many mistakes.
Reports say there were 1,678 factual, typing and printing errors in books for Classes I to VIII.
A student group called NYCS has been protesting since August 20.
It wants education reforms and accountability for the errors.
CJP leader Saurav Das visited schools and joined the protesters.
He also asked Education Minister Nityananda Gond to resign.
The government suspended four officials and began action against six more.
It has started correcting and distributing the textbooks, but protests are continuing.
The Cockroach Janta Party expanded its School Thik Karo campaign to Odisha and inspected three government schools near Bhubaneswar.
CJP leader Saurav Das demanded the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over textbook errors.
Reports identified 1,678 factual, typographical and printing errors in Classes I to VIII textbooks.
The government suspended four officials, began disciplinary proceedings against six others and started distributing corrected editions.
The NYCS and opposition Biju Janata Dal continue demanding accountability, reforms and an investigation into the publication process.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, NYCS protesters, Odisha government officials, Minister Nityananda Gond and opposition Biju Janata Dal.
- What
- A dispute over errors in school textbooks has prompted protests, demands for accountability and a call for the education minister’s resignation.
- Where
- Government schools in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with a planned protest outside the Odisha Assembly.
- When
- CJP leader Saurav Das visited Odisha on Monday; NYCS protests began on August 20, and an indefinite hunger strike began on September 5.
- Why
- Protesters are seeking responsibility for the textbook errors, education reforms and improvements in government-school infrastructure.
Critics and Protesters
Government and BJP Response
Ministerial accountability
Critics and Protesters
CJP and NYCS demand Minister Nityananda Gond’s resignation and say responsibility should be fixed for the textbook mistakes.
Government and BJP Response
The government has initiated disciplinary action against officials involved in preparing the textbooks and says the issues are being addressed after an inquiry.
Publication process
Critics and Protesters
CJP and Biju Janata Dal cite the reported spending of around Rs 380 crore and allege irregularities, with the BJD calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry.
Government and BJP Response
The government has accepted recommendations for stronger review procedures, including multi-stage proofreading and a Textbook Quality Assurance Cell.
Political motivation
Critics and Protesters
CJP presents its Odisha campaign as part of a wider effort focused on government-school infrastructure, education standards and accountability.
Government and BJP Response
Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Anil Biswal rejected the allegations, questioned CJP’s motives and accused it of selectively targeting BJP-ruled states.
Key facts
- Reported errors
- 1,678 factual, typographical and printing errors
- Affected textbooks
- Classes I to VIII
- Officials suspended
- Four
- Officials facing disciplinary proceedings
- Six
- CJP campaign
- School Thik Karo
- Protest group
- Nabnirman Yuva Chhatra Sangathan
- Government response
- Corrected editions, multi-stage proofreading and a proposed Textbook Quality Assurance Cell
Sources
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