Errors surface in Class 9, 11 Tamil textbooks

While experts are studying the textbooks, glaring errors have been found from the new Tamil books that are ready for distribution. “Most of the errors in Tamil books are related to the dates. The mistakes could wrongly shape the student’s perspective,” S Natraja Subramanian, a trainer of Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) exams, told DTNext. 

Listing the inappropriate content in the Tamil textbook of Class 11, Natraja said it has been printed on page  183  that noted music composer Ilaiyaraaja received “Kalamamani” award in 1980-81. “However, the award was given to him in 1988,” he claimed. 

Similarly, on page 253, it has been printed that Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai, a noted Indian scholar, received ‘Rao Bahadur’ award from Madras University. “The award was given to him by the then Madras government in 1896,” he pointed out. The Class 9 Tamil textbook has also carried that Godavari dam was constructed in 1873 while the dam was actually constructed between 1850-52. The Class 6 textbook also has errors. 

On page 151, it has been wrongly printed that Mahatma Gandhi came to Chennai for the first time in 1919. His (Gandhi’s) first visit to Chennai was during 1896 and he stayed for 14 days, an official pointed out. 

“Proof reading was not done properly as there was not enough time and the new syllabus was hurriedly prepared,” PK Illamaran, president, Tamil Nadu Teachers Association, said. 

“They (proof readers) were forced to complete their work within one month. They should have proof read at least 20 times before getting into print,” Illamaran added.  He also pointed out that the government should immediately withdraw the distribution of the books and print new ones after errors are rectified. 

Admitting there are certain mistakes in the textbooks, Dr G Arivoli, Director, Tamil Nadu State Council of Educational Research and Training, which acts as a state-level apex organisation for designing and executing training programmes, said, they were revising the curriculum and the syllabus. He added corrections will be made only in the e-books since thousands of textbooks have already been printed and are ready for distribution. 

“Mistakes cannot be avoided while coming out with a new curriculum,” he noted.