ICSE set to become easier from 2012!

Three cheers for the new reforms initiated by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) in its education system! Now, all you students from ICSE Board can breathe a little easy with some load off your backs!

From the academic year 2012, ICSE Board students no longer need to pass their second language (vernacular) paper to be declared successful in their class X exam. A student has to pass the English language paper and clear any other 4 subjects. Thus, you can choose to opt for only one language subject namely, English and of the remaining four subjects, you do not necessarily have to choose a language subject (as was the case earlier).

Another significant reform initiated by the Council, aimed to equip all ICSE Board students with skills for competitive exams is its attempt to give top priority to English. By introducing a listening and speaking skill component in its curriculum the Council intends to ensure that every child not only develops good writing skills in the English language, but also develops effective communication skills in the language. Under this component, a 20-mark oral examination in English will be conducted internally by the school to assess students’ communication skills. This, along with other initiatives such as introducing a new textbook, and increasing the duration of the English exam by ½ hour are reforms that are aimed to ICSE Board students’ English language skills.

In an attempt to further unburden the students, the Board is planning to completely do away with Environmental Education as a subject from the academic year 2012. However, keeping in mind the importance of teaching environmental studies and the Supreme Court ruling making Environmental Education compulsory from the primary classes till graduation, the Council intends to incorporate the essential components of Environmental Education into the other subjects like geography and biology. So, from the year 2012 all you ICSE Board students will not have to write a separate exam for Environment Education.

We at meritnation.com believe in keeping you updated with every bit of news that might make a difference to your school days. We hope that these regular posts help you stay better prepared for the future.

Cheers!

Team Meritnation

13 comments December 15th, 2009