CBSE Competency Based Education Project

In news : Union Education Minister launched CBSE Assessment Framework for Science, Maths and English classes as part of CBSE Competency Based Education Project 

About the CBSE Assessment Framework

• • The framework is a part of the CBSE Competency Based Education Project that aims to replace the existing rote learning model with a competency-based framework as directed in the National Education Policy 2020 over the next 2-3 years
  • The Framework is aligned with the NEP vision of achieving global standards in assessments. The framework is the basis for a larger project exercise currently underway
  • In the first phase selected Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, UT Chandigarh and private schools across the country will participate in the programme which will be rolled out to all 25,000 CBSE schools in India by 2024.
  • The suggested Assessment framework has been put in place to drive improvement in quality of teaching and implementation of changes recommended in the NEP 2020. 
  • British Council along with AlphaPlus as the UK knowledge partner, designed and developed this framework after extensive research and analysis of the current learning and assessment model in Indian schools. 

• For this initiative, the British Council is currently working with select UK partners:

• Cambridge is developing and delivering teachers’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module on competency-based approach to pedagogy, and lesson plan bank.
• UK NARIC has worked with the CBSE team to review and identify the scope of competency-based approaches to be integrated in the assessment system.
• Alphaplushas created the competency-based learning assessment framework and are delivering capacity building workshops for 40 assessment designers, 180 master test item writers.

About CBSE Competency Based Education Project 

• It aims to strengthen the capacity of schools to deliver high-quality competency-based lessons, particularly in science, maths and English 
• British Council is working with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) at the secondary level (classed 6 to 10) to improve competency-based assessment through this initiative.
• This project aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) of India
• The NEP-2020 calls for a shift towards competency-based learning and education, which is an outcome‐based approach to ensure proficiency in learning by students through demonstration of the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required for dealing with real life situations at the age and grade appropriate level.
• Accordingly, to promote competency-based Education in schools, Central Board of Secondary Education in association with Central Square Foundation has developed an interactive online course on ‘Competency based Education’ for the teachers and school leaders. 
• The course is divided in four modules designed to deepen educators’ understanding around the best practices in competency-based teaching-learning, assessment design and processes underlying CBE models. 

Its  Objectives

• To follow a more practical and professional approach where first of all predefined, real life based, application-oriented competencies are defined.
• To ensure attainment of competencies through precise measurable learning outcomes in behavioural terms.
• To go beyond mere accumulation of knowledge from textbooks and tests to enable students to practice acquired competencies in their daily life.

Content 

• Competency based education focuses on minimum required core content.
• It specifically defines competencies to be attained after a certain time interval in which a specific part of the curriculum has been covered. 
• It is contrary to the traditional learning approach which keeps increasing the content by following the inconsistent principle ‘greater the content, greater the achievement of students.