Galti ki paathshaala
A record number of mistakes in text books of the state education board
has raised questions over its credibility and quality of education it
provides. Running for cover, the govt has decided to distribute CDs with
corrections and hold video conferencing with schools, but the damage
may have already been done
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, August 06, 2012
( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20120806201208060113329432106a5f1/Galti-ki-paathshaala.html )
About nine lakh students in schools affiliated to state education board have been given text books which are replete with glaring mistakes. The books which were given to the students of classes 6, 7 and 8, carry not only printing errors but also misspellt names of prominent personalities and authors.
Embarrassed at the goof-up, the extent of which the state government realised only after receiving scores of letters pointing out mistakes, it has now resorted to a correctional course by distributing new CDs to schools and holding video conferences on rectifying mistakes. To what extent these CDs will work in schools in rural and far-flung areas that lack basic facilities is anybody’s guess.
Though already a blame game has begun between various wings of education department involved in preparing, compiling, printing, publishing and distributing these books, the goof-up has put a big question mark over the quality of education provided by the state education board. The government has already spent more than Rs 5 crore in printing and publishing new editions of these text books which were given to students for the current academic session.
Mistakes galore in Gujarati
A glance at the Gujarati language text book of class 8 (first semester) showed that it carried mistakes on almost every page. The 60-page text book carried as many as 375 mistakes which included inappropriate meanings of words and wrong interpretations of texts.
For instance, Chapter 5, which gives a peep into Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, mentions ‘suraksha karmi’ (security guard) as ‘chowkidaar’ (watchman). While elaborating on the
security equipment on Page 23, it mentions metal detectors’ as metal directors. In another chapter the name of noted poet, litterateur, social reformer and freedom fighter Jhaverchand Meghani has been misspelt. In fact, the errors start cropping up in the text from the Introduction itself. In the beginning, the text book mentions 36 names of writing and editing team, many of which have been wrongly spelt.
Vajahsinh Pargi, a veteran proof reader who has been associated with several newspapers, claims to have found as many as 375 mistakes in the text book. Pargi first noticed the mistakes while teaching his child a few weeks ago.
“I was shocked to notice the glaring mistakes in the text book, which could in no way have been overlooked if someone had gone through the content and proof-read it even once. It not only carried spelling mistakes but wrongly interpreted references and carried wrong meanings of words. In some chapters, contents of poems have been tampered with. Also, in a few questions, students have been asked to find certain words from the poem or text which have not been mentioned in the chapters at all,” said Pargi.
Mistakes in other text books, too
Some glaring mistakes were found in the text books of other subjects as well. The text book of class 8 science and technology has wrongly shown the names of internal organs. In a chapter on human organs, pancreas have been wrongly shown as adrenal glands and vice versa.
To err is human, but to shift blame is natural
When contacted Convenor (Gujarati) Raghavjee Maghad admitted that a large number of mistakes in text books have been a cause for concern. “The firm which was given the job of composing and proofreading should have ensured that the text books remained error free. But this is also the responsibility of Gujarat State School Text Book Board,” he said.
He added that measures were now being taken to rectify the mistakes.“We have made a new CD of text books carrying corrections which are being sent to the schools and teachers. Besides, teachers are also being made aware of mistakes through video conferencing.”
Almost trying to cover up he added, “This time council has printed more than 136 types of text books, which is a record in itself. It’s the large number of orders which was to be completed in a short span which could have led to mistakes,” Maghad said.
Lack of co-ordination
Sources said the problem primarily occurred due to lack of co-ordination between Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training (GCERT) and the state text book board. While the council has to prepare the content of the books, the text book board looks after printing, publishing and distribution.
This time the education department decided that council will prepare content, and compose and proofread it and give a CD of text book to the text book board, which would ensure printing of the books and later take up their distribution, sources said.
When contacted, GCERT Secretary Kantibhai Zhanjhrukia said, “About 9 lakh students have already received these text books. It would be difficult but we are doing our best to rectify the mistakes. But the text book board should have been more careful.”
Not our fault: Text book board
However, not ready to own up the responsibility, officials of the text book board said their responsibility was only to ensure that the content provided in the CD was published. “We have categorically mentioned in the text books that we have only printed the book and are not responsible for mistakes. We were given master copy CD on the basis of which the books have been printed. We are forwarding letters of mistake to council,” said an official.
When contacted, Principal Secretary (education) Hansmukh Adhia said, “Such mistakes should not have happened. But we will rectify the mistakes in the next edition.”
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, August 06, 2012
( http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/20120806201208060113329432106a5f1/Galti-ki-paathshaala.html )
About nine lakh students in schools affiliated to state education board have been given text books which are replete with glaring mistakes. The books which were given to the students of classes 6, 7 and 8, carry not only printing errors but also misspellt names of prominent personalities and authors.
Embarrassed at the goof-up, the extent of which the state government realised only after receiving scores of letters pointing out mistakes, it has now resorted to a correctional course by distributing new CDs to schools and holding video conferences on rectifying mistakes. To what extent these CDs will work in schools in rural and far-flung areas that lack basic facilities is anybody’s guess.
Though already a blame game has begun between various wings of education department involved in preparing, compiling, printing, publishing and distributing these books, the goof-up has put a big question mark over the quality of education provided by the state education board. The government has already spent more than Rs 5 crore in printing and publishing new editions of these text books which were given to students for the current academic session.
Mistakes galore in Gujarati
A glance at the Gujarati language text book of class 8 (first semester) showed that it carried mistakes on almost every page. The 60-page text book carried as many as 375 mistakes which included inappropriate meanings of words and wrong interpretations of texts.
For instance, Chapter 5, which gives a peep into Gujarat Vidhan Sabha, mentions ‘suraksha karmi’ (security guard) as ‘chowkidaar’ (watchman). While elaborating on the
security equipment on Page 23, it mentions metal detectors’ as metal directors. In another chapter the name of noted poet, litterateur, social reformer and freedom fighter Jhaverchand Meghani has been misspelt. In fact, the errors start cropping up in the text from the Introduction itself. In the beginning, the text book mentions 36 names of writing and editing team, many of which have been wrongly spelt.
Vajahsinh Pargi, a veteran proof reader who has been associated with several newspapers, claims to have found as many as 375 mistakes in the text book. Pargi first noticed the mistakes while teaching his child a few weeks ago.
“I was shocked to notice the glaring mistakes in the text book, which could in no way have been overlooked if someone had gone through the content and proof-read it even once. It not only carried spelling mistakes but wrongly interpreted references and carried wrong meanings of words. In some chapters, contents of poems have been tampered with. Also, in a few questions, students have been asked to find certain words from the poem or text which have not been mentioned in the chapters at all,” said Pargi.
Mistakes in other text books, too
Some glaring mistakes were found in the text books of other subjects as well. The text book of class 8 science and technology has wrongly shown the names of internal organs. In a chapter on human organs, pancreas have been wrongly shown as adrenal glands and vice versa.
To err is human, but to shift blame is natural
When contacted Convenor (Gujarati) Raghavjee Maghad admitted that a large number of mistakes in text books have been a cause for concern. “The firm which was given the job of composing and proofreading should have ensured that the text books remained error free. But this is also the responsibility of Gujarat State School Text Book Board,” he said.
He added that measures were now being taken to rectify the mistakes.“We have made a new CD of text books carrying corrections which are being sent to the schools and teachers. Besides, teachers are also being made aware of mistakes through video conferencing.”
Almost trying to cover up he added, “This time council has printed more than 136 types of text books, which is a record in itself. It’s the large number of orders which was to be completed in a short span which could have led to mistakes,” Maghad said.
Lack of co-ordination
Sources said the problem primarily occurred due to lack of co-ordination between Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training (GCERT) and the state text book board. While the council has to prepare the content of the books, the text book board looks after printing, publishing and distribution.
This time the education department decided that council will prepare content, and compose and proofread it and give a CD of text book to the text book board, which would ensure printing of the books and later take up their distribution, sources said.
When contacted, GCERT Secretary Kantibhai Zhanjhrukia said, “About 9 lakh students have already received these text books. It would be difficult but we are doing our best to rectify the mistakes. But the text book board should have been more careful.”
Not our fault: Text book board
However, not ready to own up the responsibility, officials of the text book board said their responsibility was only to ensure that the content provided in the CD was published. “We have categorically mentioned in the text books that we have only printed the book and are not responsible for mistakes. We were given master copy CD on the basis of which the books have been printed. We are forwarding letters of mistake to council,” said an official.
When contacted, Principal Secretary (education) Hansmukh Adhia said, “Such mistakes should not have happened. But we will rectify the mistakes in the next edition.”
