ICSE schools will now decide which books they want to use to teach their students from the next session when the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) introduces the new curriculum for students between pre-school and Class VIII.

However, they have to ensure that the books they introduce should be according to the revised curriculum. The curriculum will be updated on the website, said CISCE chief executive officer-cum-secretary Gerry Arathoon during a conference on Thursday. Around 140 representatives participated in the conference themed "Education for a happy nation".

Gerry said the revised curriculum suggests classroom discussions, case studies, field visits, surveys, hands-on experience, experimentation, model making and other activities.

Speaking on the inaugural day of the two-day conference, Gerry talked about the proposed assessment for students of classes V and VIII saying that nothing has been decided yet. "So far, we have decided that if it is held it will only check the IQ level of students. It will not be necessary that the questions will be asked only from the syllabus. However we are still holding discussions on this. It's not confirmed yet," he said.

He said soft skills will be added in the revised curriculum. "Skills such as reading, creative, yoga and others will be enhanced among students through the revised curriculum."

"Efforts have to be taken for making the ICSE board more student-friendly so that students don't lose their childhood. Learning should not be a burden. They should enjoy what they are studying. We also need to bring down the weight of books so that children shouldn't feel pain while carrying them. It is important to strengthen the base of education of every child," added Gerry.