Latest news with #CBSE
The Print
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
Natural calamities damaged 119 schools in Mandi district's Seraj: HP minister
'I will visit the affected area, take stock of the situation, reconstruction, repairs and relocation of damaged schools would be discussed in detail, and a plan would be prepared,' Thakur told reporters here. Since the calamity, however, 90 per cent of these schools have been reopened, he said. Shimla, Jul 16 (PTI) Cloud bursts, floods, and landslides have damaged 119 schools in the Seraj Assembly constituency in Mandi district, Himachal Education Minister Rohit Thakur said on Wednesday. He said the government may hire buildings and other spaces to relocate the damaged schools. The minister said instructions have been issued that no school or college building would be constructed on the banks of rivers. Searches are still underway to trace the 27 who were washed away after 10 cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides wreaked havoc in various parts of Mandi on the night of June 30-July 1 and resulted in the deaths of 15 people, authorities said. Thakur recently attended a meeting on bolstering the education system in border and tribal areas in Ladakh, discussing such challenges as low population density, tough terrain and paucity of funds faced by north-eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya and hill states like Ladakh. There are about 850 such schools in Himachal Pradesh, he added. Issues like adoption of CBSE curriculum, training of teachers and strengthening of basic infrastructure were also discussed in that meeting, he said. PTI BPL VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
How CBSE's Competency-Based Assessment Improves Real Learning In Schools
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a major step to improve the quality of education by introducing the Structured Assessment for Analysing Learning (SAFAL) for all its affiliated schools starting from the academic session 2025-26. This move is in line with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to shift learning from memorisation to real understanding and skill-building. What is SAFAL? Launched in July 2021, SAFAL (Structured Assessment for Analysing Learning) is a competency-based diagnostic assessment designed to help schools and teachers evaluate how well students understand key concepts. It is not a competitive or qualifying exam but rather a tool to improve teaching and learning. In 2024, over 10,000 CBSE-affiliated schools in India and abroad participated in SAFAL. Following its success, the assessment is now compulsory for students of Class 6 and Class 9 in the upcoming academic session. This means it will include students who completed Class 5 and Class 8 in 2024-25. Registration Timeline SAFAL 2025-26 School Registration is open from July 8 to July 22, 2025. Schools can register through the SAFAL portal using their LOC (List of Candidates) credentials: Why SAFAL Matters SAFAL is designed to: Evaluate real learning instead of rote memorisation. Test critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of knowledge. Help schools identify learning gaps, adjust their curriculum, and improve teaching. Keep school-level results confidential, avoiding unhealthy comparisons. Guide teacher training and improve classroom strategies. Provide insightful data for long-term planning and support. CBSE has also introduced a competency-based assessment framework for Classes 6-10 in English (Reading), Science, and Mathematics, as part of its Competency-Based Education Project. How Will Schools Benefit? Each participating school will receive: A school-level performance report showing how students performed in key competencies. Data to help with academic planning, teacher training, and resource allocation. Insights to involve parents and school communities in improving learning outcomes. The data will be used for continuous improvement, not ranking or judging. CBSE has made it clear that no special preparation is needed, and regular classroom teaching is enough to perform well in SAFAL. Moving Forward By adopting SAFAL and moving away from rote-based evaluations, CBSE aims to: Motivate the education system to embrace competency-based learning. Help students develop analytical and inquiry-based skills. Improve the overall quality of education across both government and private CBSE schools. As India transitions into a new era of education under NEP 2020, SAFAL serves as a foundation to reshape assessments and empower learners, teachers, and schools alike.
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
SC won't stay Kerala HC order to publish revised KEAM rank list
The Supreme Court on Wednesday did not immediately stay a July 10 Kerala High Court order directing the State to publish the revised rank list of the Kerala Engineering Architecture and Medical Examination (KEAM) 2025. Adopting a cautionary note, the top court said it did not want to create a sense of uncertainty among students. A Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha, instead, issued notice to the State and the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations on a petition challenging the High Court decision. The High Court had directed Kerala to revert to the standardisation formula followed in the original prospectus of KEAM 2025. The apex court listed the next hearing after four weeks. The court did not budge even though petitioners requested an earlier date of hearing for the reason that admission procedures would be over by August 14 as per the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) deadline. Kerala won't file appeal Meanwhile, the State of Kerala informed it was not filing an appeal against the High Court order. The top court had, on July 15, asked Kerala to revert on whether it planned to file an appeal. Appearing for Kerala, senior advocate Jaideep Gupta said the State proposed to implement the necessary reforms in KEAM's standardisation formula the next year in order to level any bumps in the playing field between CBSE and State syllabus candidates. 'We propose to make the change next year,' Mr. Gupta said. Appearing for a group of CBSE students who had filed a caveat in the case, senior advocate Raju Ramachandran and advocate Aljo Joseph said the State must also reflect on why State syllabus students were lagging behind their CBSE counterparts year after year. 'Perhaps they need to have a relook of the curriculum. There has to be an introspection by Kerala and other States,' Mr. Ramachandran said. Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Zulfiker Ali P.S., representing the State syllabus students who appealed against the High Court order, countered that the State's decision to amend the standardisation formula was a result of such an 'introspection'. The amended formula had been devised to end the disparity between CBSE and State syllabus candidates for KEAM. Unfair advantage The State had constituted the Standardisation Review Committee in April after exam authorities had flagged that the 1:1:1 ratio for marks obtained in 10+2 for Maths, Physics and Chemistry gave CBSE students an unfair advantage over the State Board students. 'This had meant the State students would see their marks drop while the CBSE students would have their marks soar,' Mr. Bhushan said. On July 1, the State, taking into consideration the committee report and the suggestions given by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations, had decided to amend the ratio for subject marks in KEAM 2025 to 5:3:2 instead of the earlier 1:1:1. It had gone on to publish the KEAM rank list the very same day. On July 10, the High Court had directed the reversion to 1:1:1 as provided in the original prospectus. 'The State government was entirely within its right to make the amendment. It was done on the basis of a report by an expert committee. The High Court had intervened despite a consistent stand by this court to not intervene in policy matters unless they were found to be arbitrary or discriminatory to students,' Mr. Bhushan argued. Mr. Gupta said the State was entirely with Mr. Bhushan on merits, and assured reforms for next academic year.
Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
After sugar boards, CBSE introduces ‘Oil boards' in schools: What the new circular says
After urging schools to display 'Sugar Boards' as visual reminders to reduce sugar intake, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has expanded its awareness drive by recommending the introduction of 'Oil Boards' in affiliated institutions. Earlier, the Board announced the Sugar Boards initiative to curb the consumption of sugary foods among schoolchildren. Taking it a step further, a new directive issued today calls for similar visual cues to raise awareness about the excessive use of unhealthy fats and oils. CBSE mandates 'sugar boards' in schools to limit child diabetes According to the circular, 'Oil Boards' refer to posters or digital displays installed in shared spaces such as cafeterias, lobbies, and meeting rooms within school premises. These boards will aim to educate students and staff about the harmful effects of consuming high-fat foods and oils and to serve as daily reminders promoting healthier eating habits. The introduction of Oil Boards comes amid growing concerns about rising obesity levels in India, especially among children and adolescents. Data cited by CBSE from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21) reveals that over one in five adults in urban areas are overweight or obese. Additionally, a Lancet study published in 2025 forecasts that the number of overweight and obese adults in India will rise from 18 crore in 2021 to nearly 45 crore by 2050, positioning the country as having the second-highest obesity burden globally. The CBSE notes that poor dietary habits, including excessive intake of unhealthy fats, coupled with reduced physical activity, are major contributors to this trend, especially in schools. The initiative is part of a broader effort to instill preventive health awareness and behavioural change among students from an early age. To implement the Oil Board initiative effectively, CBSE has directed affiliated schools to undertake the following: Install visual displays: Use either digital or printed posters in prominent school locations to caution against unhealthy fat consumption. Use of health messaging: Include health-related reminders on school stationery such as letterheads, notepads, and folders. Promote healthy eating and physical activity: Offer more nutritious food options in school cafeterias and limit availability of sugary drinks and high-fat snacks. Encourage use of stairs, organise brief activity breaks, and set up walk-friendly routes to enhance physical movement among students. The CBSE has also noted that an important aspect of the Oil Board initiative is its emphasis on active student participation. Schools are encouraged to incorporate the development of Oil Board content into classroom projects. This would involve students researching the effects of unhealthy oils, designing messages, and creating posters or digital content. In its notice, CBSE has pointed schools towards additional resources provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Posters, videos, and related material can be accessed via FSSAI's official YouTube channel, or on its social media handles.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
CBSE's new ‘Oil Board' mandate aims to curb rising student obesity and promote healthier living
In a move that places student well-being at the heart of school life, the Central Board of Secondary Education ( CBSE ) has issued a fresh circular encouraging all affiliated schools to adopt 'Oil Boards' as a visual cue to promote healthier dietary choices. 'Oil Boards' refer to visual displays such as posters or digital screens placed in common areas that warn against excessive consumption of unhealthy fats and oils. The circulate dated July 15, 2025, comes as a natural extension of CBSE's earlier 'Sugar Boards' initiative, reinforcing its stance on preventive health through awareness and behavioural change among students. At the core of this initiative is a growing concern around obesity in India, especially among children and adolescents. Data from NFHS-5 (2019–21) shows that one in five adults in urban India is overweight or obese. More worryingly, a recent study published in The Lancet projects that the number of overweight and obese adults in India will more than double by 2050. Lifestyle-induced health conditions, once confined to adults, are now steadily impacting teenagers due to excessive consumption of high-fat and sugary foods combined with reduced physical activity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pernas e tornozelos inchados? Descubra o que pode ajudar a drenar agora aartedoherbalismo Undo Schools to lead the way In response, CBSE is urging schools to turn students into stakeholders in their own health journeys. Schools are now encouraged to: • Install 'Oil Boards' across cafeterias, hallways, and common rooms to initiate conversations among students about the impact of high-fat diets. • Print health-conscious messages on school diaries, notebooks, and folders, offering daily prompts for students to rethink their food and activity habits. • Make healthier food options more accessible on campus, focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat alternatives, while simultaneously curbing the sale of packaged snacks and sugary drinks. • Promote physical activity by organising 'movement breaks,' encouraging stair usage, and creating walkable routes within the school premises. Importantly, the initiative invites students to be creators, not just consumers. Schools are advised to integrate Oil Board design into class projects, encouraging students to research, conceptualise, and create health communication content, a valuable exercise in both life skills and creative expression. The circular also directs schools to refer to relevant educational content available on FSSAI's official YouTube channel. Institutions can further connect with FSSAI at iec@ for resources or guidance. This initiative underscores a growing consensus that the classroom can no longer remain isolated from the larger questions of student health and lifestyle. With visual nudges, peer engagement, and school-wide involvement, CBSE hopes to instill lasting habits in students, ones that extend beyond academics and into the fundamentals of well-being. For today's generation navigating academic pressure, digital fatigue, and changing food patterns, CBSE's move is a reminder that learning to make healthier choices is as vital as learning to solve equations. Explore the complete CBSE circular on this initiative here . TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
