Curriculum overhaul: Gujarat seeks to tie up with Cambridge Board

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat’s department of education is considering a tie-up with the UK-based Cambridge Board. The department also wants to change the state board’s curriculum to give the international touch to schooling in Gujarat.
The state government is looking for tie-ups with other international boards too. A key source aware of the developments said, “The state is considering a dedicated international board or a dedicated curriculum for the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board which can match international curricula.” The move to adopt an international curriculum may mean not adhering to the model of the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training). But sources said that all states have been permitted under the new national education policy (NEP) to form their own curricula.
“The objective is to benchmark school curriculum with 21st century international education,” the source said. “Through a bilingual medium, this curriculum will build English and 21st century skills in all students.” The source said internationally benchmarked assessment systems will be followed. The aim is to prepare students thoroughly for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2024. PISA measures 15-year-old students’ reading, mathematics, and science competencies.
Sources further said that consultations have begun with multiple boards, including the Cambridge Board and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). Best practices from these boards as well as from the International Baccalaureate are being studied, sources said.
“Recently, the country representative of Cambridge met the top officials of the state government,” the source said. “The modalities of long-term ties were deliberated upon. Also discussed were the upgrade of curricula in line with the Cambridge Board’s standards and teacher training.”
Govt considering adoption of international curricula’
The state government is also in talks with the CISCE to build international curriculum in partnership with globally acclaimed educational boards. In the past also, the state government claimed to have ties with international boards, but such projects were gradually given up.
State education secretary Vinod Rao said: “To help our students qualify for international exams, the government is considering the adoption of international curricula for our proposed schools of excellence chain.” He added: “That will help the state in preparing a large number of our students for international studies.”