The School Education Director has issued a circular restricting the Central Board of Secondary Education system up to V standard in the English medium schools.
The School Education Director L.Kumar said the CBSE pattern of Education had been started in I standard in those Government Schools where the medium of instruction is regional language (Tamil/Telugu/Malayalam) and up to V standard in all other Government schools where medium of instruction is English with effect from 2014-15. This will result in existence of CBSE and State Board. In the circular, Mr. Kumar also said hence, it has been decided that CBSE pattern will be restricted upto V standard only in the English medium schools and allowing to continue the VI standard onwards with State Board system till all Government Regional medium primary schools reach VI standard in CBSE pattern in 2019-20. In Regional medium schools, CBSE will be continued in a progressive manner and the English medium Government schools follows the CBSE pattern at the primary level up to 2018-19.
There has been strident criticism from political parties and academicians over the decision of the Government of Puducherry to revert back to the Secondary Board Education. Professor M.Ramadass, former Member of Parliament and AIADMK functionary said the decision of the government exhibits lack of vision in its education policy.
He said last academic year, when the government rushed to shift to CBSE pattern from 1 to 5th standard, almost all political parties and social organisations cautioned the government to introduce it from 2015-16 after making all necessary preparations for a smooth transition. But the government did not pay heed.
