CBSE Introduces New Skill Subjects For Class 9, 11 Students

January 6, 2023, 4:09 pm


The CBSE has taken many initiatives for integrating Skill Education in its affiliated schools as per the guidelines of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. More than 27 lakh students are presently studying Skill Subjects in Class 9 and Class 12 in approximately 22,000 affiliated schools.

CBSE is committed towards the development of skills in school students and aims to develop good human beings capable of rational thought and action, possessing compassion, empathy, courage, resilience, scientific temper and creative imagination with sound ethical moorings and values. It aims at making engaged, productive, and contributing citizens for building an equitable, inclusive and plural society as envisaged by our Constitution.

CBSE announced the introduction of Skill Modules for Middle school vide its circular no. 25/2020. Currently CBSE offers 33 Skill Modules for Middle school students. All Skill Modules are of 12-15 hours duration. 70% of the time duration will be devoted for the hands-on activities and 30% will be used for theory.

CBSE offers 22 Skill subjects in classes IX-X and 43 Skill subjects in Class 11 and Class 12. The new skill subjects that have been introduced for Class 9 include Design Thinking and Innovation, Foundation Skills for Sciences (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology) and Electronics and Hardware and for Class 11 include Design Thinking and Innovation, Physical Activity Trainer, Land Transportation Associate and Electronics and Hardware.

The Schools and students are free to opt for one or more of these Skill Modules. These Skill Modules will also be made available in online self-learning mode. The child can take up the classes online too. The assessment of these modules will be school based and will preferably be project based. The assessment is to be done by the school as per the criteria/modalities provided by the Board. These modules can be offered through the respective Hobby Clubs (if available). The Schools and students are free to opt any Skill Modules either at Class 6, Class 7 or Class 8.

“The Scheme of Studies for the students opting for skill subjects in classes IX-X has been amended as follows: If a student studies three compulsory subjects (i.e., Science, Mathematics and Social Science) and also chooses to study a Skill subject (offered as sixth optional subject), then the aggregate of best five including two languages (Subject 1 & 2) and the best three (from subject 3, 4, 5 & 6, including Skill subject) can be considered for calculation of percentage.” CBSE stated in a circular.

No fee is to be paid by the affiliated schools to CBSE for introducing Skill module and Skill subject at any level. As per the revised Affiliation Bye-laws of the Board, a school does not have to apply separately for introducing any additional subjects, including Skill subjects, except Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The school shall fill the details in the Online Affiliated School Information System (OASIS) form and provide the required details.

For the Curriculum, Study Material/ Textbook, Sample Question Papers and Previous Years’ Question Papers of the various Skill Subjects/Modules being offered by CBSE from Classes VI - XII, please visit the ’Skill Education’ webpage of the CBSE Academic website (Direct link: http://cbseacademic.nic.in/skill-education.html).