A Critical Analysis of the Science Textbook of Class VI

Abstract

Textbooks constitute an inseparable part of any system of education today. Even in the most developed countries where a variety of teaching learning tools and techniques are available in the classrooms, textbooks continue to enjoy their respectful place. In a developing country like ours, where even the minimum essential requirements of a classroom are hardly provided, the need for quality textbooks cannot be over emphasized. In fact, the text book is the one useful instructional tool which is available both to the teachers and the pupils-the two principal users of textbooks. To the teacher, it provides useful guidelines along which he plans his dayto- day teaching, serves as a reference book which actually teaching in the classroom; provides suggestions for some assignments, suggests activities to be taken up in the classroom and outside. To the pupil, it is the most accessible guide, a dependable reference book and an all time companion. The pupil makes use of the textbook to prepare himself in advance for learning in the classroom refers to it during the course of learning in the classroom; revises and reinforces the classroom learning; does assignments at home; prepares for the examination; reads for pleasure; and seeks guidance and references for further studies. The theme of this project is to analyze the textbook of science prescribed for VI Class as a part of compulsory discipline in the schools of Madhya Pradesh. This book has been published by the M.P. Textbook Corporation, Bhopal for use throughout the state. This has been analyzed on certain parameters and the assessment has been quantified on the basis of the suggestion given by William D. Romey for science textbooks and on the basis of a check-list suggested by NCERT for evaluation of textbooks on general science. Attempts were made to bring as much objectivity as possible to get the realistic picture of the book in science and to suggest an appropriate line of action to make them up-to-date.