New Delhi: Marking a major step towards educational reform, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced ‘STEM Education’ as the theme for its mandatory annual training program for school heads and teachers, aiming to enhance educator competence in line with NEP 2020.
CBSE has reaffirmed its commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) by mandating that all educators in CBSE-affiliated schools complete a minimum of 50 hours of training annually.
Of these, 25 hours must be through CBSE or government-recognized regional training institutes, while the remaining hours can be fulfilled through in-house or school-complex-based initiatives.
The training structure is designed to focus on three key areas:
- Core Values and Ethics (12 hours)
- Knowledge and Practice (24 hours)
- Professional Growth and Development (14 hours)
These training sessions are structured to align with the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) and aim to enhance instructional quality and student learning outcomes.
CBSE has expanded its CPD framework to recognize a range of professional activities as valid training hours. These include evaluation duties for board exams, practical exam duties, academic research, presentations, participation in CBSE conferences, e-content creation, and curriculum review. This inclusive approach acknowledges the diverse academic contributions of educators beyond classroom teaching.
Earlier on April 1, CBSE had issued notifications outlining the professional development framework for institutional heads and teaching staff. These directives reinforce the Board’s efforts to operationalize the goals set by NEP 2020.
To promote this approach at the grassroots level, schools have been encouraged to conduct District Level Deliberations (DLDs)- platforms where educators can collaborate, share best practices, and innovate in STEM pedagogy.
CBSE has urged schools and teachers to participate actively in these deliberations, aiming to localize national goals and make STEM learning more contextually relevant.
