In order to keep itself at par with the leading international school boards, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) that conducts ICSE and ISC examinations has introduced new administrative and academic systems. On Monday, officials of the board met with principals from schools across the state to introduce them to a few changes.

Some of the new things that the board plans to do from the next academic year include sending digital copies of common question papers for Class 9, conducting routine inspections in schools and digitisation of all processes including permissions for concessions.

The city school principals said that the officials at the board also hinted at a possible “collaboration with other international boards” (Cambridge or IB) in future. “We were told that the board was considering associating with an international board to upgrade its curriculum. But there was no clarity on when and how this would happen,” said the principal of a south Mumbai school. “In cities like Mumbai where there is a big competition from Cambridge and the IB board, ICSE schools have been asked to upgrade themselves to stay relevant,” added the principal.

Currently, there are over 230 schools affiliated to the board in Maharashtra of which 130 are in Mumbai and neighbouring areas. Some principals were sceptical about the idea of collaborating with an international board, saying that this will go against the basic philosophy of the board. “We all understand that each board needs to upgrade its curriculum from time to time and make certain changes. But adopting a teaching model from the international boards is not necessary for this,” said the principal of a school in the western suburbs.

While asked about a possible collaboration, senior officials at CISCE said that they did not wish to divulge any details on the issue at the moment.

(Source: HT Education)