The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering substantial changes to the academic structure for secondary and higher secondary education, aiming to implement a national credit framework. According to recent reports, Class 10 and Class 12 students may soon find themselves navigating an altered educational landscape.
In a move to foster multilingual proficiency, CBSE suggests that Class 10 students will now engage with three languages instead of the previous two. Crucially, two of these languages must be native to India. Furthermore, the board proposes increasing the subjects required for passing from the existing five to ten.
Similarly, Class 12 students will witness modifications as they delve into two languages, ensuring that at least one is an Indian native language. The total number of subjects for passing may shift from the current five to six.
These proposed changes align with the CBSE’s strategic plan to implement a national credit framework for education. The framework, as outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, aims to establish educational parity between general and vocational education while facilitating smooth transitions between these two systems.
The CBSE’s proposal emphasizes that an academic year would consist of 40 credits or 1,200 national learning hours. National Learning is defined as the approximate time required for a typical learner to achieve specific learning objectives.
To meet the passing criteria, students must complete a total of 1,200 study hours within a year. Each subject is allocated a set number of hours, encompassing academic instruction, extracurricular activities, experiential learning, and non-academic pursuits.
These proposed changes signify a broader shift toward a more holistic and credit-based education system, fostering comprehensive skill development and a more nuanced understanding of subjects among students.
