Bhubaneswar, June 25: The investigation into the large number of errors found in Odisha’s school textbooks for Classes I to VIII has intensified, with the inquiry committee closely examining the entire textbook preparation process and the role of officials involved.
The committee reportedly sought detailed information on how the textbooks were developed, who was responsible during the preparation and publication stages, and whether proper review mechanisms were followed before the books were approved and printed. Investigators also examined why portions of NCERT books were directly translated and incorporated into the state textbooks and who was responsible for overseeing the process.
Questions were raised regarding the timeline for textbook preparation, the number of people involved, the officials in charge at the time, and the procedures followed for editing, reviewing, and finalizing the content. The committee collected extensive records and documentation related to the textbook development process.
The probe team conducted a detailed review at the Odisha State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and held prolonged discussions at Lok Seva Bhavan. Officials associated with textbook preparation and publication were called for questioning, while members of earlier committees were also asked to explain their roles.
The committee inspected the textbooks to identify specific errors and examined the responsibilities of officers involved in their preparation. Senior officials from the School and Mass Education Department, including the department secretary, were reportedly present during parts of the inquiry.
Former Senior Officer's Role Under Scrutiny
According to sources, several officials told the inquiry committee that a former senior officer allegedly exercised excessive control over the textbook preparation process and often ignored objections raised by experts and staff members. Officials reportedly stated that concerns about potential mistakes were repeatedly highlighted but were not adequately addressed.
They further alleged that textbook preparation was rushed, with instructions being issued to complete the work quickly, resulting in lapses in quality control. The committee has reportedly recorded these statements and included the names of four to five individuals in its preliminary findings.
High-Level Meetings Held
After spending several hours at SCERT, the inquiry committee proceeded to Lok Seva Bhavan, where a high-level review meeting was held. Senior officials, including School and Mass Education Secretary N. Tirumala Naik, OSEPA Director Ananya Das, SCERT Director Madhu Suchana Sahu, and other senior officers attended the meeting. The committee members discussed the findings and reviewed the progress of the investigation.
Accountability Debate Intensifies
As the probe progresses, officials are reportedly shifting blame onto one another, with no one willing to accept responsibility for the textbook errors. Uncertainty over who will ultimately be held accountable has created anxiety within the department.
Sources indicate that disciplinary action against some officials cannot be ruled out, and administrative reshuffles may also be considered following the submission of the inquiry report.
Questions Raised Over OSEPA’s Role
The issue has also sparked debate over the role of the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA), which handles textbook printing and distribution. While OSEPA maintains that its primary responsibility is distribution, education experts argue that the agency should also have reviewed the content before the books reached students.
Some officials have questioned whether former senior officers who oversaw the textbook preparation process have been adequately examined during the inquiry. They argue that those who constituted the expert committees and selected members for textbook preparation should also be held accountable and asked to explain the criteria used in making those decisions.
The investigation is expected to play a crucial role in determining responsibility for the textbook errors and shaping future reforms in Odisha’s textbook preparation system.
