Rani Lakshmibai and Ravindra Jain to Feature in Class 4 English Textbooks of UP Government Primary Schools

Prayagraj, Dec 29: In a move aimed at making school education more engaging and inspiring, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to include lessons on Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and renowned musician Padma Shri Ravindra Jain in the Class 4 English textbook taught in government-run primary schools across the state. The revised textbook will be introduced from the 2026–27 academic session and will be taught to lakhs of students studying in more than one lakh primary schools under the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council. Officials from the state basic education department said the revision has been carried out by experts from the English Language Teaching Institute (ELTI), Prayagraj. The main aim is to give young students a short but inspiring introduction to important Indian personalities while also helping them improve their understanding of English. The newly developed textbook has received approval from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), making it suitable for classroom use. According to officials, Rani Lakshmibai has been introduced in a lesson that primarily focuses on the state of Maheshwar, which was ruled by queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The textbook briefly mentions Rani Lakshmibai as the fearless queen of Jhansi who fought bravely against the British during the 1857 uprising to protect the Jhansi Fort. The content has been written in simple language so that Class 4 students can easily understand her courage and role in India’s freedom struggle. The book also includes a short introduction to late Ravindra Jain, a celebrated singer, lyricist, and music composer. Students will learn that he was born in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and became widely known for his music in the popular television serial Ramayana. Officials said the idea is to help children connect with achievers from their own state and understand how talent and hard work can lead to national recognition. The changes are part of a phased plan by the basic education department to adapt NCERT content according to the local context of Uttar Pradesh. Officials explained that while the core structure of the textbook remains aligned with national standards, small adjustments have been made to make the content more relatable for students in the state. Several other minor but meaningful changes have also been introduced in the textbook. For example, in a lesson based on the traditional sport Hekko from Nagaland, it has been clarified that the game is quite similar to kabaddi, which many children in Uttar Pradesh are already familiar with. Similarly, the traditional game Lagori or Satoliya has been explained as ‘Pithoo’, a name more commonly used in the region. Language explanations have also been expanded. Words that may be unfamiliar to students have been explained clearly. For instance, the word “Chinna” has been clarified to show that it has different meanings in different Indian languages—meaning “small” in Tamil and “gold” in Kannada. Officials believe this will help students better understand India’s linguistic diversity. ELTI principal Skand Shukla said that Hindi meanings of difficult English words have been provided throughout the textbook to make learning easier for both students and teachers. He said pronunciation guidance has also been added, as many children in government schools struggle with English at the primary level. This step, he added, will help students gain confidence while reading and speaking the language. Experts involved in preparing the book said the changes are in line with the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020. By introducing simple explanations, local references, and Hindi meanings, the textbook aims to spark curiosity among children and encourage interest in other Indian languages and cultures, while keeping learning stress-free and enjoyable. Rani Lakshmibai and Ravindra Jain to Feature in Class 4 English Textbooks of UP Government Primary Schools In a step to make learning more meaningful and inspiring, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to include lessons on Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and noted musician Padma Shri Ravindra Jain in the Class 4 English textbook of government-run primary schools. The revised book will be introduced from the 2026–27 academic session and will reach lakhs of students studying in over one lakh schools under the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Council. The changes have been prepared by experts from the English Language Teaching Institute (ELTI), Prayagraj, and approved by NCERT. The aim is simple: help young students learn English while also getting familiar with great personalities from India and Uttar Pradesh in an easy and engaging way. Rani Lakshmibai has been included in a lesson related to Maheshwar, ruled by queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The book briefly explains how the brave queen of Jhansi fought against the British in 1857 to defend her fort. The story has been written in simple language so children can understand her courage and love for the nation. The textbook also introduces Ravindra Jain, the famous singer, lyricist, and composer who was born in Aligarh. Students will learn how his music, especially for the TV serial Ramayana, made him a household name across the country. Along with this, small changes have been made to explain games and words better. Traditional games like Hekko, Lagori, and Pithoo have been clearly explained, and difficult English words now come with Hindi meanings and pronunciation help. Officials say this will make English less scary and more fun for children, while also supporting the goals of the National Education Policy 2020.