Bhubaneswar: Fresh errors have reportedly been detected in textbooks meant for Class I students in Odisha, making more complex the controversy surrounding the newly published school textbooks that have already come under widespread criticism for multiple mistakes.
As per information, the latest mistakes have been reported in Jhulana-1, prescribed book for Class I students of English-medium private schools. The book introduces the Odia alphabet in an unconventional order, starting with the consonant ‘ଚ’ instead of the vowel ‘ଅ’. The sequence then proceeds with ‘ଟ’, ‘ମ’, ‘ଗ’ and ‘ର’, while ‘ଅ’ and ‘ଆ’ appear much later.
Criticising the arrangement, teachers and parents cautioned that it could confuse young learners at the foundational stage of language education.
Several other significant errors have also come to light. In the state anthem Bande Utkala Janani, the line “Ghana Ghana Banabhumi” has been printed as “Ghana Banabhumi”. A spelling mistake has additionally been detected in the word “Utkala” in the national anthem.
The fresh controversy has cropped up even as many schools are yet to receive printed copies of the textbook. Parents have instead been given a 168-page PDF version that schools have circulated digitally.
Meanwhile, educators and guardians have expressed serious concern over the quality of the material and the presence of multiple errors in the digital edition.
It may be noted that the textbook was introduced under government directives for use in English-medium private schools. Parents have demanded that the authorities immediately review the book, rectify all mistakes and ensure the supply of error-free printed copies at the earliest.
The development comes weeks after the Odisha government came under flak over more than 1,600 errors detected in newly published textbooks for Classes I to VIII, which drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, educationists and other stakeholders. The government has ordered a thorough probe by the Crime Branch into the matter.