NCERT's Class 8 social science textbook presents ‘facts’ to promote holistic learning

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has launched Class 8 social science textbooks, “Exploring Society, India and Beyond,” this week. NCERT aims to make students aware of our past between the 13th to mid-19th century, which has influenced the evolution of our country today.

The new social science textbook aims to inform widely about geography, history (medieval and modern), economic life, and governance of the country in an integrated way. The includes all about our past and various events in that period that have influenced the country’s growth.

Class 8, being the last year of the middle stage, the students are expected to know broadly about our history from a multidisciplinary perspective and develop a critical understanding of the subject, rather than attempting to overload students with too much information.

Also read ‘ Finally! Real, unfiltered history in schools’: NCERT textbook describing Mughals as ‘cruel’ gains praise

‘A note on history’s darker period’

As per the official NCERT statement, all the facts presented in the textbooks are based on well-known primary and secondary academic sources. Also, to avoid any prejudice or misunderstanding, ‘A note on history’s darker’ period has been included for students. The new books offer a fresh and thoughtful approach to help students understand how the past has shaped modern Indian society.

‘A note on history’s darker period’ at page 20 has been added for the benefit of the students. The note summarises the content presented in the textbook, which should be seen and appreciated from this perspective.

Also read ‘Titles thoughtful’: NCERT defends Hindi names for English language textbooks after Kerala slams move

NCERT textbooks

Class 8 social science textbooks include details about Mughal history and Delhi Sultanate , which will serve as a source for six months, and part two textbooks will be published in the second half of the academic year, as per media reports. Recently introduced NCERT Class 8 science textbook titled 'Curiosity' includes Acharya Kanad's atomic theory, Bhaskara II's astronomical experiments.

NCERT textbooks are aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 to offer an integrated understanding of history, geography, economics, and governance.