From 2012,ICSE students need to pass only one language — English

“From 2012,the students will have to take English and any other four subjects and pass in them,” said Gerry Arthoon,secretary of the Board.

The Board,however,has decided to make it mandatory for the students to appear in the second language paper even if they fail to qualify in it. As per the present norms,a students has to pass in English and choose four other papers and qualify in them of which one has to be a second language paper.

Many teachers feel that after these guidelines are implemented by the Board,students would not opt for low scoring second language paper and the norm of learning a second language would decrease.

“To get admission at the university level in West Bengal you need to have two language subjects. I don’t know how far this move will be acceptable in higher education,” said a school principal.

The council has also decided to do away with environmental education in Class X and Class XII examinations.

Arthoon,however,said: “Environmental education consists of topics from various subjects like biology and chemistry. The contents of this subject will be infused in other subjects.”

Board officials said that 2012 will be the last year when the examination of environmental studies will be held by the ICSE and ISC,after which the subject will be lifted.