Nation First in Education: Education Minister Bhuse Calls for Textbooks That Inspire Values and Knowledge

Pune, 22nd August 2025: Speaking at the inauguration of a workshop on Textbook Development under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, organized by the Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research (Balbharati), Bhuse emphasized the need for “quality and joyful education” while nurturing responsible citizens of tomorrow.
“It is our duty to provide students with both the bread of education and the gift of nationalism. Teachers must do everything possible to fulfill this responsibility,” he said.

The minister underlined that the School Education Department has adopted the concept of Nation First and stressed that shaping future citizens with strong values is the collective responsibility of educators.

‘Students losing touch with culture’
Highlighting modern-day challenges, Bhuse said that in the age of mobile phones, television, e-media, and artificial intelligence, students are drifting away from their cultural roots.

“My two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter refuses to eat without watching cartoons. Instead of mobiles and cartoons, children should be engaged with Balbharati’s textbooks even during meals. For that, we need to produce textbooks of the highest quality,” he remarked.

Bhuse also mentioned that the state government has adopted a “simple to difficult” study policy and introduced military training in schools. Teachers with innovative teaching practices should share them with their peers, he added.

Curriculum must reflect India’s history, culture, and challenges
The minister stressed that textbooks should cover not just Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s history but also his governance, naval power, taxation methods, welfare policies, and respect for women.

He further recommended that the syllabus should give space to:
Great leaders, social reformers, and freedom fighters (national, state, and local)
Agriculture, environment, cleanliness, and de-addiction issues
Transport rules and social awareness topics
Foreign policy and India’s security system (in civics)
Mineral resources and communication networks (in geography)

Officials underline need for innovation in teaching
Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol called for innovative teaching methods to promote critical thinking. Commissioner of Education Sachindra Pratap Singh said textbooks should act as tools for transformation.

The program also saw participation from senior education officials, including MSCERT Director Rahul Rekhawar, Primary Education Director Sharad Gosavi, Secondary & Higher Secondary Education Director Mahesh Palekar, Planning Director Krishnakumar Patil, and Balbharati Director Anuradha Oak. Introductory remarks were delivered by Oak, while Kiran Kendre, Executive Editor of Kishor magazine, proposed the vote of thanks.

Bhuse concluded that the combination of simplified curriculum design, military training, and innovative guidance from teachers would help in shaping well-rounded, responsible citizens for the nation.