CBSE to cut syllabi for students from classes IX to XII by 30%
Amid uncertainties over the reopening of schools due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Central government has decided to reduce the syllabi for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students between classes IX and XII by 30 per cent, retaining core concepts.
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, in a series of tweets, said the ministry had advised CBSE to revise curriculum and reduce course load for students from Class IX to XII in wake of the extraordinary situation.
The minister added that he had, a few weeks ago, invited suggestions from all educationists on the reduction of syllabi for students. He said the ministry had received more than 1,500 suggestions, thanking everyone for the overwhelming response.
“Considering the importance of learning achievement, it has been decided to rationalize syllabus up to 30% by retaining the core concepts (SIC),” he said in another tweet.
Looking at the extraordinary situation prevailing in the country and the world, #CBSE was advised to revise the curriculum and reduce course load for the students of Class 9th to 12th. @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIB_India @MIB_India @DDNewslive @cbseindia29 @mygovindia
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) July 7, 2020
Meanwhile, CBSE, in a press release, said, “The prevailing health emergency in the country and at different parts of the world as well as the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of classroom teaching due to closure of schools.”
“Therefore, the Board has decided to revise the syllabi for classes IX-XII for the academic session 2020-21. The changes made in the syllabi have been finalised by the respective Course Committees with the approval of the Curriculum Committee and Governing Body of the Board,” it added.
“For Elementary Classes (I-VIII) schools may follow the Alternative Academic Calendar and Learning Outcomes specified by NCERT,” it said.
