Uniform commerce curriculum for Class XII from 2012

A uniform core curriculum for the commerce stream at +2 level across school boards is expected to be implemented by 2012, the Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) decided at its meeting on Tuesday in Ajmer. The draft of the curriculum has been readied by COBSE and will now be circulated amongst school boards for their views.

COBSE will also soon pass resolutions to alter the examination system in a way so as to allow an assessment of critical thinking in students. That apart, the school curriculum will be so designed as to help in the testing of critical thinking, COBSE decided at its 39th meeting held in Ajmer on Tuesday. Ways to award certificates in vocational education at the school level that are recognised at college level as well in order to mainstream vocational education were also discussed at Tuesday's meet.

Besides representatives from 33 state school boards, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal and Rajasthan's Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also attended the meeting.

While all state boards have already agreed in principle to switch to a to a uniform 'Core Curriculum' in Mathematics and Sciences from 2011 for +2 level, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal had asked COBSE to also help develop a Core Curriculum for Commerce.

The basic idea behind the concept of devising this curriculum is that a level playing field must be given to students across all state boards when they appear for competitive exams after their +2 — mainly IIT JEE, PMT, engineering entrance exams, AFMC etc.

COBSE has been working on this with teachers, principals and all state boards since August 2008. University professors were involved to ensure the curriculum for Mathematics and Sciences — which has already been readied and approved.