Siliguri/Calcutta: The ICSE council will introduce three new subjects for classes IX to XII in 2020 to prepare students for professional courses, secretary and chief executive Gerry Arathoon announced on Wednesday.

Students will be able to choose from hospitality and tourism, beauty and wellness and legal studies as elective subjects in classes IX to XII.

"The council intends to introduce some new subjects in classes IX, X and XI. These are hospitality and tourism, beauty and wellness and legal studies. Students who want to establish themselves in these fields will have the option to study these subjects, which are likely to be introduced in 2020 and onwards. These professions are now in high demand among students," said Arathoon.

He added that as of now the council is working on the syllabus of these subjects. Experts in the field have been engaged to help the council prepare the syllabus.

He was speaking after a two-day regional conference of the Bengal and northeast chapter of the Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificate at Sacred Heart School in Matigara on the outskirts of Siliguri.

Principals in Calcutta said the move would open up options for students wanting to pursue professional courses. "This could be a prelude to what they might want to do in college. It will also help them prepare for competitive exams like CLAT, for example, if they study legal studies in school," said Seema Sapru, the principal of The Heritage School.