CHENNAI: Prince Gajendra Babu, convenor, State Platform for Common School System, brushed aside the claims of Matriculation School heads that the CSS books were below standards, saying it reflects their lack of understanding of the CSS. “They don’t understand that textbooks under the new system are meant to only facilitate the learning process and are only a tool to instil interest,” he said.
Even the Muthukumaran Committee on implementing uniform pattern of education had said that a textbook should not end up being an encyclopaedia, which would turn off the child, he added. The Matric heads should understand that CSS books should be taught along with reference books and not be treated as a stand-alone tool, he said. The books are designed to encourage the child to learn and think, and not just learn by rote.