Cambridge backs flexible schooling, aligns curriculum with NEP 2020 vision: Officials

Cambridge currently maintains a major footprint in India, with approximately 850 schools delivering its curriculum and examinations, a figure expanding by nearly 15% each year. Across the broader South Asia region, Cambridge operates in about 1,200 schools.

"Cambridge offers schools the flexibility to choose subjects and combinations based on their students' needs. This closely aligns with the NEP 2020 vision of moving away from rigid streams and a one-size-fits-all approach toward greater choice, flexibility and learner-centred education," Smith told PTI.

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Smith noted that this adaptable approach enables students to make choices progressively as their interests, strengths, and ambitions develop, preventing them from being locked into a fixed academic pathway too early.

"India's NEP 2020 has already articulated a progressive vision in response to many of these shifts, with its emphasis on multidisciplinary learning, flexibility, subject choice and holistic development. The global experience can complement this vision by offering perspectives on how these principles can continue to evolve," Smith said.

He emphasized that schools should give students opportunities to explore various disciplines before settling on specializations, starting at the school level.

"Early assessment can help schools understand learners' strengths and areas for development, while exposure to different subjects and careers can help learners understand what interests them. This can support more informed pathway choices, rather than choosing a career first and discovering later that it does not align with their interests or strengths," Smith said.

"It can also contribute to learner wellbeing by helping them pursue directions that better align with who they are," he added.

For Cambridge in India, international experience is not intended to replace local models. Instead, it aims to learn how global education systems are adapting, strengthen the framework of NEP 2020, and support learners in discovering themselves, exploring options, and making informed decisions about their futures.

Smith emphasized that educators and school administrators play a vital role in executing this approach. Consequently, Cambridge invests heavily in teacher professional development, equipping educators with skills in learner-centred methodologies, active learning, formative assessment (assessment for learning), metacognition, and differentiated instruction.

The overarching goal is to guide students in identifying their strengths and choosing suitable academic and career tracks, while simultaneously helping parents navigate diverse educational pathways for their children.

"We have also enabled our schools to have open conversations with parents about academic rigour in an AI-enabled world, the growing importance of judgement and multidisciplinary approaches, and the varied academic and career destinations available. This year, our leadership is taking this conversation directly to parents in over 500 schools, helping them better understand these possibilities," he added.

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