For the current academic year, the CBSE has introduced 30+ new skill subjects for classes VI to VIII. These skill subjects will be taught in 12-15 hour skill modules.

There are nine skill subjects relating to technology, which are Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Data Science, Life Cycle of Medicine and Vaccine, Satellite Application, and Rocketry Study.

Affiliated schools must assess the skill modules in accordance with CBSE norms. CBSE wants to put 50 per cent of learners inside the purview of vocational education by 2025 by adding skill topics for classes VI to VIII, which is in line with NEP 2020 objectives. Webinars on skill subjects would also be held every day for an hour till May 19, 2023.

“This will provide early exposure of skill subjects to the students. We had been focusing on introducing the skill subjects in middle schools. The learning content has been written in a simple language that can be easily understood by middle school students,” says Biswajit Saha, Director of CBSE.

“As technology is rapidly changing every passing day, it is essential to lay emphasis on technical skill subjects which would bring in a tech-savvy culture amongst the schools. This can be considered as a process of skill counselling for students,” says Kulbhushan Sharma, National President of the National Independent Schools Alliance.