Porvorim (Goa): In the coming academic year, the subjects known as ‘Computer Awareness’ and ‘Computer Literacy Program’ will be changed to Information & Communication Technology (ICT). The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) issued the circular announcing the implementation of the change in nomenclature from 2017-18 academic year. Similarly, the subject will have new syllabus in a bid to enhance the level of IT education among the young minds.

“Syllabus in the subject ICT for Class XI and XII to be implemented from the academic year 2017-18, and the nomenclature has been changed from Computer Awareness to ICT. So also, ICT subjects will be implemented for Class IX and X from the said academic year and hence, Computer Literacy Program will be called as ICT,” reads a circular issued by IAS M V Gadgil.

The decision also includes introducing fresh syllabus for Banking-I and Insurance-I for Class XI, for which the subject Insurance will be renamed as Banking & Insurance.

In another initiative in the vocational stream, the GBSHSE has resolved to implement syllabus (Theory & Practical), Instructional Material and Model Question Paper for the Office Secretaryship and Stenography Course in the subject Office Administration for Class XII from the new academic year.

Whereas (Theory & Practical) in Home Science – CGDM course for class XI will be implemented in the subjects including Apparel Designing & Decoration, Dyeing & Printing, Fibre to fabric & Fashion Marketing, and Clothing Construction.

Meanwhile, the Board has reeled off a comprehensive list of textbooks prescribed for the higher secondary education in all the streams comprising of Science, Commerce, Arts and Vocational studies.

As it aims at reviving the culture of IT education in the State, the State government in 2013-14 had introduced Project-Based Assessment in Environment Education at Higher Secondary Level. The 50-marks paper covering theory and field project is still ongoing.

Team TNV