Bhubaneswar: With a plan to revise the Class 10 curriculum, the Odisha government has initiated steps for integrating the Plus II level into a unified education framework.
Officials said the focus is on improving students’ readiness for higher secondary education and employment opportunities.
Under the proposed changes, plans are afoot to introduce Plus II courses through open schools, enabling students up to the age of 18 years to access free education. The initiative seeks to expand access to higher secondary education and provide students with opportunities to develop job-oriented skills.
Additionally, plans are also afoot to have a single board for Class 10 and Class 12 examinations, School and Mass Education Secretary N Tirumala Naik said. The state government is preparing a draft law to merge the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) and the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is stated to have issue instruction to work towards having one board for both classes. The new system will be similar to CBSE, which conducts examinations for Class 10 and Class 12, said Naik.
However, the examination pattern will remain unchanged. Only the two boards will be brought under one board. The government is yet to announce when the new system will be implemented. A decision on the location of the proposed board office is expected to be taken soon.
Sources said the government has also expressed concern over the rising expenditure incurred by students preparing for competitive examinations. Steps are, therefore, being planned to provide free digital learning resources to students.
The CHSE, Odisha, has been directed to take steps towards providing free digital education facilities. The government has allocated Rs 10 crore to the CHSE for the initiative.
Another significant proposal is to make Plus II Commerce and Science education available in Odia, enabling students to pursue higher secondary studies in their mother tongue.
Officials said the reforms are intended to ensure that students acquire practical and professional skills while pursuing Plus Two education. The objective is to help students become better prepared for employment after completing higher secondary education.
The proposed changes are expected to strengthen access to education, reduce the financial burden on students and provide greater opportunities for skill development and career preparation.