Ahmedabad: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced a significant step to strengthen skill-based education in schools by making it mandatory for all affiliated institutions to establish Composite Skill Labs. This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the NCF-SE 2023 framework, both of which emphasise experiential and practical learning.According to CBSE, skill and vocational education are becoming integral parts of school curricula. The introduction of these labs aims to move beyond textbook-based learning and equip students with real-world skills that are essential for future careers. The Composite Skill Labs are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice while promoting activity-based and multidisciplinary learning. Through hands-on experience with tools, equipment and experiments, students will gain a deeper understanding of subjects and develop practical competencies.CBSE also outlined clear infrastructure requirements for setting up these labs. Schools must establish a Composite Skill Lab of at least 600 square feet for students from Classes 6 to 12. Alternatively, schools can create two separate labs — one for Classes 6 to 10 and another for Classes 11 and 12 — with each lab having a minimum area of 400 square feet. These labs should be equipped with the necessary tools, machinery and experimental setups to support various skill-based subjects.The board made it compulsory for newly affiliated schools to have these labs in place. Existing schools have been given time until Aug 22, 2027, to meet the requirements. CBSE urged schools to plan and implement the setup effectively to enhance the overall quality and practicality of education.
