Dubai: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has confirmed its plan to launch the new Global Curriculum from April 2026, reshaping the learning model for Indian schools operating in 22 countries, including the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
The announcement came during CBSE’s first international and 31st Sahodaya School Complexes Conference in Dubai, which saw participation from over 800 school leaders and senior education regulators from the GCC region.
The new framework aims to make CBSE education more internationally recognized while keeping its strong foundation in Indian academic values intact. It focuses on bridging global learning standards with the requirements of local education systems in host countries.
According to Dr Ram Shankar, Director of CBSE Regional Office and Centre of Excellence in Dubai, the upcoming curriculum will be tailored for international contexts. “The existing curriculum will become more contextualised and aligned with global regulators’ provisions,” he said, emphasizing that CBSE’s core philosophy will remain central to this change.
The Global Curriculum will add globally benchmarked elements such as critical thinking, research-based learning, and flexible academic pathways. It also allows non-CBSE international schools to adopt it voluntarily, expanding its global reach.
The UAE remains CBSE’s largest hub outside India, hosting 106 CBSE-affiliated schools that educate more than 225,000 students, supported by about 15,000 teachers. Across the GCC, around 450,000 students will be covered under this transition, with more than 30,000 teachers receiving training in the new system.
Countries such as Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar—already home to thriving Indian education communities—will see their CBSE schools adopting this unified model to ensure global consistency and adaptability.
The CBSE Global Curriculum is a major step in implementing the vision of India’s NEP 2020, which promotes competency-based learning, skill development, and global collaboration.
To complement this model, CBSE has introduced the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) for middle-stage students—a comprehensive tool that goes beyond marks and grades. It assesses students through peer reviews, self-assessments, and social and emotional learning parameters.
Dr Shankar confirmed that the initiative will also emphasize teacher training programs, policy alignment with host countries, and infrastructure standards for schools abroad.
Senior officials from the UAE’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), and Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) have welcomed the initiative. Collaborative dialogues also involved education ministries from Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
They discussed strategies for curriculum contextualisation, vocational education, and recognition of CBSE certificates on par with international qualifications, reinforcing CBSE’s global credibility.
Expert Views on Global Shift
Punit M.K. Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools in Dubai, called the move “a forward-looking and transformative decision.” He added, “The Global Curriculum and the Holistic Progress Card together encourage learning that is real, relevant, and ready for the future job market shaped by AI and technology.”
Educators across the Gulf believe this transition will not only raise academic standards but also support the personal and social development of students, aligning with future-ready skills needed in a fast-changing world.
The current Global Curriculum is a reimagined version of CBSE-i, an international model introduced in 2010 and discontinued in 2017 due to limited adoption. This time, CBSE is focusing on scalability, affordability, and contextual adaptation, ensuring better acceptance and long-term sustainability.
With consultations ongoing, the final draft of the CBSE Global Curriculum is expected to be completed before the 2026–27 academic year. Once launched, it is set to redefine CBSE’s role as a leader in global education while maintaining its Indian ethos.
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