'Lagging Behind CBSE': Kerala High Court Directs SCERT To Show Proposed Textbooks Inculcating Prevention-Oriented Curriculum For School Children

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed thus:

“Special Government Pleader for the State Education Department shall make available the textbooks that are already been printed by the next posting for the perusal of the Court. “

The Court stated that it wants to go through the textbooks to see if it is age-oriented and how the content has been laid out. It orally stated that a child in the first standard has to be probably taught about 'safe touch'. It remarked that it is very important how the prevention-oriented curriculum is being imparted to children. It stated that the curriculum is left for the experts to decide but it would like to know how the SCERT has framed the curriculum.

The Counsel appearing for the SCERT submitted before the Court curriculum has been finalized for standards 1,3,5,7 and 9 and the book will be printed in two volumes. The Court was informed that the first volume of the book is about to be printed also.

The Court stated that it was very unfortunate CBSE has not yet initiated steps for bringing changes in their curriculum. The Court remarked that the SCERT has already finalized their syllabus and the books will also be printed soon.

“You are lagging behind CBSE, very unfortunate. There is a central government statute also of 2012 that prescribes that this must be provided in schools. Now Kerala State is becoming a pioneer, and CBSE is lagging behind. If you don't come out with a syllabus, it is very sad…This has been going on for some time. I will have your Director come here…Please tell your officers that the Kerala State has already come out with a curriculum and a text book”, remarked the Court orally.

The Court thus directed the Standing Counsel for the CBSE to get specific instructions regarding the time frame within which they would bring the prevention-oriented curriculum.

The Kerala High Court was considering a bail application when it noted the increasingly high rate of sexual offences against children due to lack of awareness. Thus, the Court invoked its writ jurisdiction and impleaded the State of Kerala, the Central Board of Secondary Education and the Kerala State Legal Services Authority and directed them to take steps to include a prevention-oriented curriculum in the school to make students aware of sexual abuse.

Earlier, the Court was informed that SCERT will include awareness about POCSO in their curriculum and textbooks will be prepared by experts. 

Case Title: Anoop v. State of Kerala

Case Number: Bail Appl. 3273 of 2022