The new book, titled ‘Kaveri’, has been designed in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 and will replace the earlier textbooks ‘Beehive’ and ‘Moments’ that were used in schools from the 2006–07 academic session until 2025–26.
Texts from Indian writers including Subramania Bharati, Sudha Murty, Temsula Ao, Rabindranath Tagore and Mitra Phukan have been included in a newly introduced English textbook for Class 9 prepared by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
Officials said the revised book reflects a shift towards including more Indian authors and themes while also retaining selected international voices.
FEWER TEXTS, ONE TEXTBOOK
One major change in the new syllabus is the reduction in the number of textbooks used for the subject. Earlier, students studied two English textbooks in Class 9. Under the revised curriculum, these have been combined into a single volume titled ‘Kaveri.’
The total number of texts has also been reduced significantly. The earlier textbooks contained 29 texts in total, whereas the new book includes 16.
Officials explained that the aim was to make the curriculum more focused and manageable for students while still maintaining diversity in reading materials.
STRONGER PRESENCE OF INDIAN AUTHORS
The new textbook contains 16 texts in total. Eight of these are written by Indian authors, while six are by international writers.
Among the Indian writers featured are Subramania Bharati, Sudha Murty, Temsula Ao, Mitra Phukan and Rabindranath Tagore.
The opening story of the book is taken from Sudha Murty’s 2004 book “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories.”
The new book also contains “elements of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)”, reflecting a wider attempt to incorporate Indian cultural and intellectual traditions into school education.
INTERNATIONAL WRITERS STILL FEATURE
While the presence of Indian authors has increased, the book continues to include works by several foreign writers.
Six texts are by international authors including American poet David Roth, English poet Charles Swain, American children’s writer Bryanna T. Perkins, poet Robert Langley, writer Maya Anthony and Singapore-based author Irene Chua.
In addition to these texts, the book includes an anonymous poem titled “Gifts of Grace: Honouring Our Vocations.”
Another unique inclusion is an interview-based piece called “The World of Limitless Possibilities,” which features an interview with Paralympic athlete Deepa Malik.
Officials said the revised book aims to offer students a balanced mix of literature, personal stories and inspirational narratives while aligning the curriculum with the goals of the new education framework.
(With PTI inputs)
