The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is, at present, not thinking of granting permission for schools in India to follow the CBSE International Curriculum.
“It will take at least another three years,” CBSE Chairman Vineet Joshi told The Hindu . He was here to inaugurate the SSVM World School.
Recently, the board introduced the CBSEI syllabus in West and South Asia on an experimental basis in about 30 schools. “In the current academic year, the Board has introduced it for classes I and IX. Next year, it will extend the same to classes II, VI, VII and X,” he said. The complete rollout would take three years.
“Only thereafter will CBSE take a call on offering the international syllabus to schools within the country.” He admitted that schools in India had started making the demand.
Explaining the reason for introducing the syllabus, he said the Board, following feedback from parents and academics, realised that there was no point in offering Indian geography or other social subjects to students in Oman or Singapore. In the absence of local content, the students found it difficult to interact with society there.
“Based on suggestions, the Board allowed flexibility in social science subjects while retaining Maths and Science,” Mr. Joshi said.
Referring to the CBSE's decision to make optional the Class X examination, Mr. Joshi said a Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system had been evolved to assess the all-round performance of students. “Not only writing, their [students'] reading, analytical and application skills will be tested. Extra-curricular activities will also have a weightage. This is because schools have to ensure holistic development of a student. The purpose of making optional the exam is also to broaden the purpose of education. Not confine it to examination and score alone.”
