Excerpts from a Class XII Physical Education textbook defining 36-24-36 as the “best body shape for females” have created an outrage on social media with critics demanding that the text be withdrawn.
The incident comes against the backdrop of a raging debate on the lack of scrutiny of the curriculum and content taught in schools.
The book titled “Health and Physical Education” written by VK Sharma and published by Delhi-based New Saraswati House is reportedly taught at various schools affiliated to Central Board of School Education (CBSE).
However, the CBSE on Wednesday refuted the news report saying that the Board does not recommend books by private publishers. Calling the news reports in the media as “misleading”, the CBSE said this was just to “malign” the Board.
While the CBSE only recommends books published by the National Council of Education Research and Training, there were reports in the media that certain books from private publishers are also taught in schools affiliated to it.
“36-24-36 shape of females is considered the best. That is why in Miss World or Miss Universe competitions, such type of shape is also taken into consideration,” read the excerpt from the chapter “Physiology and Sports” which is going viral.
Various Twitter users shared picture of the mentioned text and demanded that the publishers withdraw the content and schools replace the book in their curriculum.
Several calls and text messages to CBSE spokesperson seeking comment on the issue went unanswered.
“The social media networks have posted a news titled ‘Class XII CBSE Physical Education textbook says/certifies/claims 36-24-36 is the best figure for females' as mentioned in a Class XII textbook. The book referred to is titled 'Health and Physical Education' authored by one Dr. V.K. Sharma and published by New Saraswati House. The reference to CBSE in this news is vehemently denied. It is totally incorrect and does not have any credible base," read a statement by the CBSE spokesperson Rama Sharma.
This, however, is not the first incident about improper content being found in textbooks taught in CBSE schools in recent months.
In another recent incident, a class XII Sociology book cited "ugliness" and physical disability of a girl as reasons behind the dowry issue prevalent in the country.
CBSE does not recommend books by any private publishers to the affiliate schools. Rule 15.1 (d) of the Affiliation-bye-laws of the Board clearly states that the school will follow the syllabus on the basis of curriculum prescribed by NCERT/CBSE and textbooks published by NCERT or CBSE as far as practicable. It also states that the schools will exercise extreme care while selecting books of private publishers. The content must be scrutinized to preclude any objectionable content that hurts the feelings of any class, community, gender, religious group in society if prescribing books having such content, the school will have to take the responsibility of such content," added the CBSE statement.