CBSE to introduce legal studies in Class XI, XII

April 9, 2013, 12:00 am


Student studying under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will now have the chance to opt for �legal studies� as an elective subject. The elective, to be made available to students in Class 11, is being introduced as a �pilot project� on a �first come first serve� basis in over 200 schools in the coming academic year.

These schools will offer legal studies as an elective subject that students can opt for along with three other elective subjects and a language. The subject is expected to be popular among students from both humanities and commerce streams who aim to compete for admissions to the five-year integrated law programme.

The CBSE has said the idea of law is to create a safer society. In a letter to principals, Sadhana Parashar, professor and director of academic, research, training and innovation, CBSE, said, "As citizens many of us have faced or may face various situations requiring legal assistance. In most instances, there are many rights and defences that can help us in becoming assertive, if we know what and how to do it within the time limits provided by the law." However, most people lose simply because of lack of information and awareness. In many instances, it is merely a matter of taking right action in a specific and timely manner.

As per this report, schools interested in offering this course have to submit their expression of interest to the CBSE by April 20, 2013. The course will be initially be offered to students at the Class 11 level, moving onto Class 12 students in the academic year 2014-2015.

Schools are expected to start teaching the subject in class XI from June 2013 and, as these students move up to class XII in 2014-15, the subject will be introduced at that level as well.