‘Forced into dark ages’: NCERT allegedly removes periodic table from science textbook

NEW DELHI: After dropping some sections from Class 12 political science textbooks recently, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has now allegedly removed the chemistry periodic table from Class 9 science textbook. While some found the move as forcing the country into “dark ages”, others shared links to the new book and claimed that the topic has not been dropped, rather moved to Class 11 syllabus.

An excerpt from NCERT's new science textbook shared on Twitter reads, "In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is imperative to reduce content load on students. The National Education Policy 2020, also emphasises reducing the content load and providing opportunities for experiential learning with creative mindset. In this background, NCERT has undertaken the exercise to rationalise the textbooks across all classes."

According to NCERT, books have been rationalised due to overlapping of similar content in other subject areas in same class, inclusion of similar content in lower and higher classes in same subject, difficulty level, irrelevant content and to provide easily accessible and self learnable content.

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Reacting to the changes, a PhD scholar said in a tweet, “Periodic table cut from India’s textbooks: @ncert @dpradhanbjp @narendramodi School children in India will no longer be taught about evolution, the periodic table of elements, sustainability, pollution or energy sources such as fossil fuels and renewables. Chapters on all of these topics have been cut from the textbooks and curricula for students aged 11–18. The National Council of Educational Research and Training, which is behind the changes, has not yet explained its rationale to teachers and parents. Experts are baffled, and more than 4,500 have signed an appeal to reinstate the axed content on evolution. Good luck India! If you don’t act now, you will be forced into dark ages.”

Periodic table cut from India’s textbooks: @ncert @dpradhanbjp @narendramodi

School children in India will no longer be taught about evolution, the periodic table of elements, sustainability, pollution or energy sources such as fossil fuels and renewables. Chapters on all of…

— ?Dr. Namrata Datta (Singa Pen), PhD?????? (@DrDatta01) June 1, 2023

An entrepreneur and PG student downloaded NCERT Class 9 and 10 textbooks and said that he didn’t find the periodic table in the Class 9 book either, if it had been moved. Referring to NCERT’s explanation on moving the topic, he tweeted, “First things first. What was the motivation for changes? Here is an excerpt from Class 10 Science book (updated). These 3 highlighted points seem pretty rationale to an unbiased mind. The other 2 are more open to interpretation.”

He went on to explain: “I first downloaded the free pdf book offered by NCERT for Class 10. Here is the index. Seems fairly technical chapters on Chemistry. Admittedly, there is no Periodic Table in those chapters. Neither is introduction to elements or atomic weights or atomic numbers.”

"Similar content included in the lower or higher class of the same subject" - was one of the reasons for rationalization of texts. So, I searched for Class 9 Science Book. Here is the content/index. Chapter 3 and 4 seemed interesting. Some screenshots from the chapters: Seems decent introduction to concepts. Sure - No Periodic Table yet,” he added.

Some screenshots from the chapters:
Seems decent introduction to concepts.
Sure - No Periodic Table yet.
5/n pic.twitter.com/siahDoonQ5

— Ankit Garg (@Ankit_Quant) June 1, 2023

A Twitter user supported the move and commented to an article, “Appalling lack of homework for a " scientific" journal. 1. Evolution is a chapter in class 12, periodic table in class 11. NOT removed, RATIONALISED for Covid. 2. Hindus DON'T have a creationist theory, Karma is all about evolution. @CommunityNotes @ncert pls do your thing.”

Appalling lack of homework for a
" scientific" journal.

1. Evolution is a chapter in class 12, periodic table in class 11.
NOT removed,RATIONALISED for Covid.

2. Hindus DON'T have a creationist theory, Karma is all about evolution. @CommunityNotes @ncert pls do your thing. pic.twitter.com/zrZZXHmEDC

— Rahul Upadhyay (@Rahulvichaar) June 1, 2023

Also Read | NCERT drops ‘objectionable’ portions on Khalistan from Class 12 political science textbook

“Why was the periodic table removed from syllabus? 1. Because sanghis objected to the word “period”? 2. Plan is to replace it with Lord Vishnu and Brahma who created the universe and all elements in it? 3. Motiji doesnt have a “table” like Putin?,” another Twitter user said.

@ncert Why was the periodic table removed from syllabus?
1. Because sanghis objected to the word “period”?
2. Plan is to replace it with Lord Vishnu and Brahma who created the universe and all elements in it?
3. Motiji doesnt have a “table” like Putin? pic.twitter.com/bRKMev7ifL

— Poe’s Raven (@ThisIsPoesRaven) June 1, 2023

An entrepreneur said the periodic table is given in Class 9 textbook and tweeted, “Chapter 3 of India's NCERT science textbook for Class 9 (2023-2024) clearly discusses the periodic table of elements. Dawkin's vicious agenda to malign BJP govt. is obvious. Anyone with a shred of conscience, would apologize for such blatant lies.”

Chapter 3 of India's NCERT science textbook for Class 9 (2023-2024) clearly discusses the periodic table of elements.

Dawkin's vicious agenda to malign BJP govt. is obvious.

Anyone with a shred of conscience, would apologize for such blatant lies.https://t.co/MfexX7L04g https://t.co/ttdye87T1a pic.twitter.com/QkojoYtBBL

— Savitri Mumukshu - सावित्री मुमुक्षु (@MumukshuSavitri) June 1, 2023