Class IV Textbook Error Sparks Controversy

Fast Summary

• An error in a draft teacher handbook prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for Class IV Environmental Science sparked controversy.
• The handbook initially stated that freedom fighter Subhas chandra Bose fled to Germany “fearing the British.”
• The text also referenced bose resigning as Congress president, forming the Forward Bloc, and later leading the Indian National Army against British rule.
• After criticism from teachers’ organizations and political groups like the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), SCERT corrected the mistake and announced an inquiry into how it happened.
• ABVP alleged that this error was part of a larger effort to distort past facts about Bose.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The SCERT’s textbook gaffe raises critical questions about accountability in educational content readiness, especially when dealing with sensitive topics like India’s freedom struggle.Subhas Chandra Bose is regarded as a national hero, making inaccuracies about his legacy not only problematic but potentially divisive within public discourse. This incident highlights the importance of thorough vetting processes for textbooks to ensure historical accuracy and prevent controversies that could distract from educational priorities. Additionally, while robust criticism from stakeholders reflects a healthy democratic culture of checks and balances in education policy, such events underscore persistent challenges in reconciling differing perspectives on historic figures-a recurring issue in India’s historiography.

Read more: Published – August 16, 2025 11:38 pm IST