By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 03, 2021: THE Education Ministry on Wednesday said the reports of the new National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) curriculum teaching ancient Indian knowledge and heritage at 100 madrassas has "misrepresented truth" and is of "malicious intent."

The ministry was reacting to media reports that under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the NIOS will introduce 15 courses on Bharatiya Jnana Paramapara (Indian Knowledge Traditions) for classes 3, 5 and 8, teaching the Ramayana, Bhagvad Gita, Panini-propounded Maheswara Sutras and numerous other collections.

The reports said the courses will be started at 100 madrassas with plans to extend it to 500 in the future.

The Education Ministry reacted and said, "This news has distorted facts, has misrepresented truth and seems to be of malicious intent."

They further clarified that around 100 Madrassas with 50,000 students are accredited with NIOS, with plans to accredit around 500 more with the NIOS, dependant on the demand.

The ministry said that NIOS accredits madrassas under 'Special provision for quality education of Madrassas' where various subjects are offered to learners and they can opt for any combination of courses, unlike that in the formal education system.

"It is totally the discretion of the learner to opt for subject combination from the bouquet of the subjects provided by NIOS," the ministry emphasised.