Le CID d'Odisha arrête l'ancien directeur du SCERT dans une affaire d'erreur de manuel scolaire

Odisha's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Manoj Padhi, the former director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), in connection with allegations of irregularities in the preparation and publication of school textbooks that reportedly contain over 1,600 errors. These errors have been estimated to have caused a financial loss of approximately ₹175 crore to the state exchequer. The arrest took place on Tuesday, following a prolonged interrogation as part of the CID’s ongoing investigation into the issue. The investigation centers around newly published textbooks for Classes I to VIII, which were developed under the state’s revised curriculum aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. CID officials have charged Padhi under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal conspiracy, public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury, and criminal breach of trust. According to CID officials, Padhi failed to properly supervise, coordinate, and approve the manuscripts prior to their publication. He allegedly cleared print-ready versions without thoroughly reviewing the factual, scientific, geographical, translated, and visual content, leading to widespread inaccuracies. The controversy emerged after more than 1,600 errors were identified in 55 textbooks designed for primary school students under the Odisha Curriculum Framework for School Education 2025. These errors sparked backlash from opposition parties, educators, and parents, who raised concerns about the lack of quality control in government-published educational materials. Among the notable mistakes were claims in a Class V textbook that infertile women could regain fertility by circumambulating the Sitabinji cave in Keonjhar district, mismatched illustrations, and scientifically inaccurate explanations. Following the discovery of these errors, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi suspended Padhi and ordered a CID-led probe after a complaint was filed by the current SCERT director, Madhusmita Sahu. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), overseen by an SP of CID, is currently examining all stages of the textbook development process, including content creation, review, approval, printing, and distribution, to identify those responsible for the alleged lapses. Officials familiar with the investigation stated that the errors were attributed to a rushed curriculum overhaul, insufficient time for manuscript preparation, faulty translations of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) material, and deviations from established textbook development protocols. All 55 textbooks were completed within a span of 15 months, as the state aimed to implement the new curriculum simultaneously for Classes I to VIII. This accelerated timeline, combined with potential mismanagement, appears to have contributed to the extensive errors detected in the publications. CID officials have indicated that further action will be taken against additional officials implicated in the lapses, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The incident highlights systemic issues in the oversight and production of educational materials in the state. It also underscores the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining high standards of accuracy and reliability in publicly funded educational resources. As the CID continues its investigation, the focus remains on determining the extent of each individual’s involvement and ensuring accountability for the financial and reputational damage incurred.