A viral post on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) has been surfacing on social media and hailed by many netizens as an X user shared pictures of a 9th standard textbook which included chapters on 'Dating and Relationships'. Like wildfire, the post quickly went viral as many Millenials and GenZs hailed CBSE for its inclusion while popular dating app Tinder also reacted to the post.
As the post surfaced viral on the internet, it divided many curriculum discussions with many netizens sharing their views. The news rightfully reached the Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) outside the internet, which made some clarifications on the much-discussed viral post. Here's the full story.
CBSE Class 9 Book To Include Chapters On Dating And Relationships?
On January 30, an X user with the handle @nashpateee posted pictures from a chapter of a Class 9 textbook on the subject 'value education' which included a chapter explaining dating and relationships and covered modern dating topics like 'ghosting', 'catfishing', and 'cyberbullying' which are the most talked about topics in the youth when it comes to modern dating.
The chapter also explained some of the crucial topics such as crushes, special friends, and attraction, and briefly discussed the challenges of going through breakups comparing teens and adults through stories and experiences.
Internet Reacts
As the user shared glimpses of the chapters and some activity exercises, the most talked about online dating app, Tinder was quick to react to the post encouraging discussions around dating and relationships amongst the youth.
The official handle of Tinder India wrote "Next chapter: how to deal with breakups" hinting that youth and teenagers must also need to be equipped with the knowledge of handling heartbreaks better which goes hand-in-hand when talking about relationships and dating.
In a country where topics like sex education, dating, crushes, and relationships are hushed and teenagers in vulnerable states are left with no resources but the Internet, it is important to discuss the topics related to students' social dynamics for their emotional as well as holistic development.
However, it was apparent that the inclusion of such topics will be met with varied reactions and opinions looking at the lack of open dialogue and conversation in our cultural values.
But most people on the internet hailed it as it pleasantly surprised netizens who have been since a long time asking for the inclusion of chapters relevant to contemporary times such as sex education, trading, stocks and other finance-related literacy beneficial in adulting, and many other emotional education topics including relationships.
A user highlighted the importance of conversation writing under the comment: "Smartness lies in educating them about this & safe intercourse instead of being in denial about this." One other user highlighted the dire need as teenagers these days are exposed to the internet.
Many others jokingly hailed the inclusion commenting: "Send me the book I need to read the chapter again." while others recounted how many schools did not even allow back then to be friends with the boys.
CBSE Clarifies
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India clarified that the viral images of a book with a chapter on dating and relationships for class 9 students belonged to a private publication, not an official CBSE textbook. This book, titled "A Guide to Self Awareness and Empowerment," is published by G. Ram Books(P)Ltd. Educational Publishers.
Therefore, while there are books discussing these topics for teenagers, they are not part of the mandatory CBSE curriculum as it clarified the "talks" in its X post claiming it does not publish any private publications book and there has not been any such inclusion in NCERT hinting that it encourages schools to affiliate only NCERT books.
Here's the post:
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