CBSE Opens First Regional Office in Dubai to Boost Indian Education
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched its first Regional Office (RO) and Centre of Excellence (CoE) outside India, located in Dubai. This historic move aims to strengthen Indian education in the UAE.
Special Orientation Session
The milestone was marked with a special orientation session on Teachers’ Day, involving CBSE officials, representatives from the Indian Mission in Dubai, and principals from 78 schools across Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The session discussed the new office’s goals, scope, and expected impact on the region.
Prime Minister’s Announcement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the opening of the CBSE RO & CoE in Dubai on February 13, 2024, during his visit to the UAE. The office officially commenced operations on July 2, 2024, at the Consulate General of India, Dubai, UAE.
CBSE’s Mission and Objectives
Dr. Ram Shankar, Director of CBSE RO & CoE in Dubai, presented an overview of CBSE’s mission in the region. He highlighted the board’s key objectives, including promoting learning outcome-based education and fostering new dimensions in teaching. The board will adopt a model focusing on outcome-based learning and offer subjects at multiple levels to meet varying student capabilities. Art-integrated learning and health education will also be promoted as part of a holistic educational approach.
Assessment Reforms
The CBSE Regional Office is engaged in a series of assessment reforms to make education more competency-based and student-friendly. This includes implementing case-based and competency-focused questions, strengthening internal assessments, and developing Annual Pedagogical Plans. Experiential learning through innovative methods such as sports, storytelling, and toy-based learning will also be promoted.
Role of the Centre of Excellence
The Centre of Excellence will focus on in-service teacher training, equipping educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to stay ahead of educational innovations and global teaching methodologies.
Consul General’s Address
In his address, the Consul General of India in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, emphasized the importance of this new development. He stated, “The Centre for Excellence will empower teachers with cutting-edge training, enabling them to stay updated on best practices and innovative technologies. This will enrich the learning experience for students.” He added, “The office will significantly enhance CBSE’s support and resources for students, educators, and parents in the region. It represents the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of thousands of stakeholders who will benefit from its operations. The CBSE office will serve as a beacon of excellence and a hub for academic support for years to come.”
Doubts Revealed
CBSE -: CBSE stands for Central Board of Secondary Education. It is a national level board of education in India for public and private schools.
Regional Office -: A Regional Office is a branch of a larger organization that operates in a specific area. In this case, it is a branch of CBSE in Dubai.
Dubai -: Dubai is a city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is known for its modern architecture and vibrant culture.
Centre of Excellence -: A Centre of Excellence is a place where high standards are maintained in a particular area. Here, it means a place for advanced teacher training.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government.
Outcome-based learning -: Outcome-based learning focuses on what students are expected to learn and achieve by the end of a course.
Art-integrated education -: Art-integrated education uses art forms like drawing, music, and dance to help students learn other subjects better.
Skill subjects -: Skill subjects are courses that teach practical skills like coding, cooking, or carpentry, which can be useful in real life.
In-service teacher training -: In-service teacher training means training programs for teachers who are already working, to help them learn new teaching methods.
Global teaching methodologies -: Global teaching methodologies are modern and effective ways of teaching that are used around the world.