Schools told to pitch for career in armed forces

In an attempt to create awareness among students and parents about defence services as a career option, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked its schools to suitably modify the curriculum and include the armed forces in the general foundation course.

In an attempt to create awareness among students and parents about defence services as a career option, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked its schools to suitably modify the curriculum and include the armed forces in the general foundation course.

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“It has been emphasised that in addition to other possible job options, the schools must also expose students to challenging and satisfying career in the armed forces under the ‘general foundation course’. The schools may visit the official websites of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy for the motivational material,” a statement dated September 12 said.

“We have traditionally found students and parents inclined towards engineering and medicine as career options. The students are not very aware of defence services as a career. We have suggested to the schools to give it space in the general foundation course. The resources are all available on the website,” Sadhana Parashar, director (academic, research, training and innovation) CBSE told HT.

Mentioning the supplementary book titled ‘The Indian Army—A Glorious Heritage’ published by NCERT, she said that the book contains motivational cum informative write-ups and could be given to students of different age groups. “The supplementary book is eye-catching with a view to attract young students to serve in the armed forces as a career option,” she added.

“This would help to inculcate a defence services work ethos which is characterised by diligence, perseverance, a regimented way of life and above all resilience and humility,” the circular notes.

CBSE offers a compulsory subject called general foundation course for all senior secondary students. The course aims to promote general knowledge as well as exploring prospective future career options for students. Two periods per week have been earmarked for this subject.