Mandatory skill education for Classes VI-VIII from 2025-26 for CBSE schools

In a significant step towards strengthening experiential learning, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the mandatory implementation of Skill Education and Kaushal Bodh textbooks for students of Classes VI to VIII in all CBSE-affiliated schools from the academic session 2025-26.

The development was highlighted during a capacity building programme organised under the aegis of the Director (skill education), CBSE headquarters, New Delhi, in collaboration with the North Bengal Sahodaya School Complex (NBSSC), Siliguri. The programme was hosted at Siliguri Model High School (Senior Secondary) on Monday.

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The offline programme saw the participation of around 73 principals and teachers representing 41 schools from West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya and neighbouring regions. Eminent educationists Dr S P Dutta, principal of Krishnagar Public School, Nadia, and Dr Ramesh Kumar Agarwal, vice-principal of the same institution, served as resource persons, as appointed by CBSE.

Dr R P Singh, joint secretary of the skill education department, CBSE headquarters, addressed the participants virtually and underlined the importance of integrating skill-based education at the foundational and middle-school levels.

Dr S S Agarwal, principal of Siliguri Model High School (senior secondary), acted as the venue director and ensured the smooth conduct of the programme.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in interactive sessions, competency-based learning modules and activity-driven discussions. The resource persons stressed the need to move beyond rote learning and equip students with practical skills, critical and creative thinking abilities, and problem-solving competencies aligned with 21st-century educational needs.

The newly-introduced Kaushal Bodh textbooks published by NCERT and PSSCIVE for Classes VI, VII and VIII were formally presented during the programme. Teachers were guided on effectively integrating these skill-oriented resources into classroom pedagogy to promote holistic development among students.

Dr Dutta observed that skill education serves as a bridge between knowledge and employability, calling upon teachers to act as facilitators of real-world learning. Dr Agarwal noted that competency-based education is no longer optional but essential to prepare students for future challenges.

Taposhi Pal Banik, secretary of NBSSC, addressed the gathering during the valedictory session.