Board of Intermediate removes the lessons on Dr Ambedkar and Jyothiba Phule?

The Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) in Telangana has decided to reduce the syllabus by 30% for both first and second year students. In the process it had appointed a committee to suggest the reduction of syllabus. The committee had recommended removes the lessons on Dr Ambedkar and Jyothiba Phule.

The decision to reduce the syllabus was taken long ago and a committee was formed to look into this issue. Based on the committee recommendations, the BIWW reduced the syllabus by 30% for this academic year and then officially released it.

Understanding that the BIE has decided to remove chapters containing the history of Dr BR Ambedkar, Jyothiba Phule, Periyar and Narayana Guru, there was huge criticism followed by widespread reaction and protests.

After having faced severe criticism the BIE has issued a clarification stating that the decision to reduce 30% syllabus for first and second year Intermediate students has been put on hold stating that the competent authorities were yet to ratify.

In a statement here, the BIE Secretary said that no lessons related to national heroes, social reformers and prominent personalities were removed, and the reduction is 'under examination' as of now.

He said the syllabus was reduced by 30% in Science and Mathematics based on the recommendations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to compensate for the loss of academic days.

However, with regard to Humanities, the content is based on Intermediate syllabus and some portions were recommended to be reduced by subject experts. But, the release of these reduced portions was yet to be approved by the competent authorities and the release was uninten ded.

The decision about the reduction of syllabus in each subject would be discussed further with competent authorities and till then it is a matter under examination, the BIE Secretary said.