Pune: Blank Pages in Maharashtra School Textbooks Find Favor Among Students, Survey Reveals High Approval

Pune, 7th December 2023: An initiative by the Department of Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbook Production & Curriculum Research (Balbharati) to integrate blank pages in textbooks from class II to class VIII has garnered high approval from students, teachers, and parents, according to a recent survey.

The survey indicated that 97 per cent of teachers, 91.77 per cent of parents, and 68.90 per cent of students appreciate the inclusion of blank pages for note-taking. However, it also highlighted challenges, such as the distribution of integrated textbooks to all students.

Key Survey Findings:
1. Blank Pages Appreciation: A significant majority of teachers (97%), parents (91.77%), and students (68.90%) expressed their liking for the inclusion of blank pages in textbooks.

2. Note-Taking Practices: Nearly all students (96.49%) reported taking notes on notebook pages integrated into their textbooks during class. 93.72 per cent of parents acknowledged reviewing the notes taken by their children.

3. Teachers’ Observation: According to the survey, 3.88 per cent of students believe their teachers have not seen the notes taken on the integrated pages.

4. Self-Study Usage: A substantial number of parents (46.41%) noted that students utilize these integrated pages for self-study.

5. Reduction in Notebook Burden: A significant percentage of parents (38.25%) and teachers (96.79%) affirmed that the integration of notebooks has resulted in a reduction in the overall burden of notebooks.

The survey also highlighted challenges in the distribution of integrated textbooks:
– 16,386 students received all four textbooks.
– 844 students obtained three textbooks.
– 3,729 students acquired two textbooks.
– 1,234 students were provided with only one textbook.

Balbharati, responsible for developing and designing textbooks for Maharashtra state schools, introduced a structural change in textbooks for classes I to VIII, incorporating blank pages to encourage note-taking and self-study. The online survey aimed to assess the effectiveness and usability of this initiative.