Inquiry blames rushed process and overlapping roles for Odisha textbook errors

A high-level inquiry into errors in Odisha textbooks has identified problems in the process used to prepare the books, according to The Hindu. The committee found that resource persons were repeatedly assigned different responsibilities for the same class and subject. Those responsibilities included writing the material, reviewing it, proofreading it and acting as the final subject expert.

The finding suggests that the same individuals could have been involved at several stages of preparing and checking the textbooks. The supplied material does not say how many people were involved, which subjects or classes were affected, or what specific errors were identified. The inquiry described the process as hasty, according to the headline supplied with the report.

It also found that writers had not received orientation, although the available material does not explain the form that orientation should have taken or who was responsible for providing it. The information supplied does not include the committee’s recommendations, the government’s response or any decision on whether the textbooks will be revised or withdrawn. The findings nevertheless identify two procedural concerns: repeated overlap between writing and checking roles, and the absence of orientation for writers.

No further conclusions from the inquiry are included in the available source material.