Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, the Director of Academics at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), has highlighted the vital need to align school education with higher education institutions to effectively implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes multidisciplinary education.
Dr. Emmanuel emphasized that the major challenge currently faced is the lack of synchronization between school and higher education institutions. While CBSE offers approximately 200 courses at the class 10 and 12 levels, students often encounter difficulties in fully benefiting from these subjects due to restrictions in gaining admission to higher education institutions.
He stressed the importance of aligning these two educational tiers, particularly for students with unconventional subject combinations who struggle to find suitable courses at the higher education level.
Dr. Emmanuel made these remarks during his participation in the G20 state-level summit on life skills, mental health, safety, and well-being at Daly College in Indore.
He further emphasized CBSE’s commitment to aligning its offerings with the principles of equity, excellence, accessibility, and inclusivity outlined in NEP 2020. The implementation of NEP 2020 will occur gradually, with a primary focus on four key areas in the initial stage: teaching and learning practices, assessment reforms, teacher capacity building, and systemic reforms for evaluating students and schools.
A holistic progress card concept will also be introduced, emphasizing the involvement of learners, parents, and teachers in a 360-degree evaluation process to enhance learning support.
Additionally, CBSE is set to introduce courses in robotics and drone technology to stay current with technological advancements. These additions align with the evolving landscape of technology and the need to equip students with relevant skills.
Furthermore, CBSE has collaborated with the National Stock Exchange and various tech giants to offer initiatives in augmented reality and virtual reality, providing students exposure to cutting-edge skills.
Dr. Biswajit Saha, the Director of Training and Skill Education at CBSE, mentioned that the government’s emphasis on skill education at the middle school level has led CBSE to introduce 33 skill modules, covering diverse areas such as gardening, tourism, and khadi. These skill courses will also offer transferrable credits under the National Credit Framework for students pursuing higher education.
CBSE’s proactive efforts align with NEP 2020’s vision of transforming India’s education system to be more inclusive, flexible, and aligned with the evolving needs of students and the job market.