Electromagnetic Force and Natural Resources Education Also Removed
"Government, Lost in Nationalism, Heading Down the Wrong Path"
The Indian government is reportedly planning to exclude evolution, the periodic table of elements, and other topics from the curriculum for students under 16, causing shock.
According to the British scientific journal Nature, this policy was included in the new education policy announced last month. Nature cited a press release distributed by Indian education authorities, stating, "Explanations about the periodic table, evolution, electromagnetic force, and sustainability of natural resources have been removed from textbooks for children aged 14 to 16."
The media pointed out, "The 1976 amendment to the Indian Constitution includes the phrase 'to foster scientific temper, humanism, inquiry, and reform spirit,'" adding, "It seems this declaration is now considered less valuable in the national education policy sector."
The Indian scientific community reportedly expressed "discomfort" regarding the new education policy. Furthermore, Nature added that NCERT, India's national textbook development agency, did not engage in any discussions with actual teachers or parents during the formulation of this policy.
So why did the Indian government suddenly change the direction of its education policy? Some speculate that it is a policy aimed at satisfying Indian nationalists.
Students in India. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Today, the history of science is largely centered on British scientists such as Charles Darwin and Michael Faraday, who colonized India. It is argued that this move aims to reduce the emphasis on these Western scholars and place greater importance on pre-colonial Indian scientific history.
However, Nature emphasized, "The basic principles of evolution by natural selection and the periodic table of elements are all fundamental concepts that explain the world and encourage students' scientific curiosity." It warned that deviating from Western-style education should not lead to abandoning basic science education.
Meanwhile, over 1,800 figures from India's science and education sectors sent an open letter in April opposing the Indian government's new education policy.
In the letter, experts stated, "Such science education provides important knowledge that enables understanding of the connections among life forms and their diversity on Earth," warning that "the new education policy could impair students' ability to understand the natural world."
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