September 18, 2013, 1:09 pm
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is asking the cause of the armed forces in affiliated schools. Teachers are asked to emphasise on a career in the armed forces as a professional option among students of Classes 11 and 12.
In the latest circular to principals of affiliated schools, Sadhana Parashar, director of academic, research, training and innovation, CBSE, said that the board had decided that all affiliated schools should provide guidance to students in senior secondary classes about prospective career options. "It has also been emphasised that in addition to other possible career options, the schools must also expose students to challenging and satisfying career in the armed forces under the ’General Foundation Course’," said a letter to the principals.
Schools have also been asked to visit the official websites of the Indian Army (indianarmy.nic.in), Indian Air Force (careerairforce.nic.in) and the Indian Navy (nausena-bharti.nic.in) for motivational material.
The letter mentions that teachers can look up a supplementary book titled ’The Indian Army - A Glorious Heritage’, published by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for motivational cum informative write up for students of different age groups. "The supplementary book is an eye catching one and it will attract young students to serve in the armed forces," Parashar said.
These resources are also expected to help inculcate a ’defense services work ethos,’ characterised by diligence, a regimented way of life, resilience and humility, the letter added.
Teachers said that too much should not be read into the announcement. "Not everybody knows about the career options in the armed forces. It’s not a popular vocation. Maybe, that’s why the CBSE is giving us some resource materials to check out the options," said a senior secondary teacher in a Chennai CBSE school.
The CBSE offers a compulsory subject called ’General Foundation Course’ for all students in Classes 11 and 12. The course aims at improving students’ mastery over current affairs and general knowledge. Two periods in a week have been earmarked for students to hold discussions on career options open to them.
