Parents at a private school in Bengaluru’s Hebbal have raised objections over the inclusion of a chapter on actor Tamannaah Bhatia in the Class 7 textbooks. This issue emerged when parents approached the school administration, expressing their discontent and subsequently involving the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka after receiving an “inadequate response”.
The Controversial Chapter
The chapter in question, titled ‘Life after Partition: Migration, Community and Strife in Sindh, 1947 to 1962,’ is part of the Class 7 curriculum at Sindhi High School. It aims to provide insights into the history and experiences of the Sindhi community, focusing on the linguistic minority aspect. However, parents took issue with the inclusion of Tamannaah Bhatia alongside other prominent Sindhi figures such as actor Ranveer Singh, questioning the relevance of featuring an actor in a chapter meant to educate about historical events and community struggles.
Parental Concerns
Parents argued that the inclusion of a film actor in an educational chapter was inappropriate for Grade 7 students and did not align with the chapter’s educational objectives. One parent stated, “We have no objections to children being introduced to another culture. But our objection is about having a chapter on an actor that is unsuitable for grade 7 students.”
Allegations Against School Administration
Further complicating the issue, allegations surfaced that the school administration resorted to intimidating tactics, threatening to issue transfer certificates to students whose parents voiced objections. This has raised serious concerns about the handling of dissent and the involvement of parents in educational decisions.
Response from Authorities
Following the complaints, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka have been involved to address the concerns raised by the parents. The school administration’s response and the subsequent actions taken by the involved authorities are awaited.
Conclusion
The controversy at Sindhi High School over the inclusion of Tamannaah Bhatia in a Class 7 textbook chapter has sparked a debate on the appropriateness of content in educational materials and the importance of aligning educational objectives with the content provided. The involvement of higher authorities highlights the need for careful consideration and open dialogue between parents and school administrations in shaping educational curricula.
