Odisha Teachers Uncover Over 1,600 Errors in New Textbooks: What’s Going Wrong?

Concerns Raised Over Textbook Quality in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A group of educators from government schools in Odisha has highlighted numerous issues in the newly released textbooks for students in Classes I-VIII, citing problems such as 'spelling errors' and 'incorrect names' of notable figures.

According to Bramhananda Maharana, the head of the Primary Teachers Association, over 1,600 'errors' have been identified in these educational materials.

These textbooks were developed in line with the National Education Policy 2020 and are set to be implemented starting from the 2026-27 academic year.

The reported 'errors' include a variety of issues, from 'spelling mistakes and incorrect names of prominent individuals to factual inaccuracies and inappropriate images'.

Maharana noted, 'A total of 1,678 errors were found in the textbooks for Classes I-VIII. For instance, a picture of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly was mistakenly included instead of the Odisha Assembly.'

Additionally, he pointed out that Odisha's Niyamgiri Hills were inaccurately stated to be located in Jharkhand.

Maharana has called for an investigation and accountability for those responsible for these mistakes.

'The government must promptly rectify these errors and provide updated textbooks to students,' he urged.

In response, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond acknowledged the department's awareness of the errors and assured that corrective measures are being taken.

'Given that these textbooks are newly created, some printing errors may have occurred,' he explained.

Meanwhile, the Opposition BJD has accused the BJP government of 'ruining' the Odia education system.

Party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty described these textbooks as a 'national embarrassment', arguing that such mistakes not only diminish the value of the Odia language and culture but also threaten students' futures.

The BJD leader has called for the immediate withdrawal of all 'defective textbooks' and a thorough investigation.