The 15th National Sahodaya Schools Conference held at Bhopal from December 10-12 was attended by nearly 200 delegates from across the country. The conference deliberated the theme ‘Empowering Each Learner of the 21st century’.

Following two days of intensive debate and discussions, the conference made several recommendations for the consideration of the Union HRD ministry and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Delhi. Among them: CBSE should review the content, structure and context of its existing curriculum to meet the needs of the future; the board should make appropriate interventions to provide internationally compatible curriculums and evaluation strategies to facilitate learners from India to participate in the global work force and provide global leadership; the board should proactively encourage the use and integration of technology in schools.

Moreover the resolution of the Sahodaya Schools also requested CBSE to address issues related to civic literacy and contributive citizenship by promoting life skills and socially-conscious activities (such as NCC, scouts and guides, eco-clubs etc) as an integral part of the learning process; to introduce a pragmatic grading pattern at the secondary level to reduce stress and unhealthy competition; and called upon CBSE to focus on continuous empowerment of teachers through structured training programmes.