Relief ahead

Ranchi, March 17: The 2011 batch of students set to appear for the ICSE can expect to sit for a more contemporary test, with questions similar to competitive examinations of the present times.

The ICSE board has re-structured its syllabus for Classes IX and XI for 2009-2011, by replacing and reorganising some 10 to 15 per cent of all irrelevant and outdated material with pertinent matter. Except mathematics, a paper that was revised in 2007-2008, all other subjects have been reviewed and necessary changes have been made. A changed copy of the syllabus has been sent to schools.

Father Ajit Khess, the principal of St Xavier’s School, welcomed the change. “It was common perception that the CBSE syllabus was better structured and helped a student to tackle entrance examinations better. Now, it seems that the ICSE board has pulled up its socks, too,” said Khess.

“Take geography for instance, chapters have been reduced from 24 to 18. The board has also reduced the number of chapters in environment science, while chemistry and physics has been made more practical-based,” he said. For English, textbook Julius Caesar has been replaced by As You Like It. While the prose and poetry have been given a more Indian flavour with more contemporary Indian writers being included in the texts,” he said.

Father Khess added that the English syllabus of the CBSE board is touted to be “manageable”, whereas with two papers, ICSE English is blamed of increasing a student’s stress load.

“ICSE students have to study three papers in science — physics, chemistry and biology — while for CBSE, it’s only a single book comprising all three subjects,” the father explained. Principal Alexander Thomas of St Thomas School lauded the board move. “CBSE students study for five papers, whereas our students have to struggle with 11. The changes would reduce the burden,” Thomas said.