CBSE’s Parenting Calendar: A Game-Changer in Bridging Learning Gaps and Fostering Soft Skills

Maharashtra to Adopt CBSE Curriculum by 2028, Focus on Comprehensive Evaluation

The educational landscape today is evolving rapidly, and students are facing increasingly complex challenges, such as mounting academic pressure, constant technological distractions, and intricate social dynamics. In response to these pressing issues, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken a significant step by unveiling its parenting calendar for the academic session 2025-26 at its headquarters in Delhi. This forward-thinking initiative is designed to redefine the role of parents in education by emphasising their pivotal contribution to the comprehensive development of students.

Moreover, the parenting calendar fosters stronger communication and collaboration between parents and educators, thereby working towards bridging learning gaps and promoting student well-being. To achieve these goals, the calendar is divided into four distinct sections, with activities tailored specifically to different grade levels. Furthermore, CBSE has encouraged schools to treat this calendar as a flexible template, allowing them to adapt it based on their individual needs and educational contexts. Additionally, this initiative underscores the shared responsibility of education, highlighting that meaningful student growth can only be achieved through active involvement from parents, schools, and students alike. By promoting this collaborative approach, CBSE is paving the way for a more interconnected and supportive educational environment across the country.

The parenting calendar includes the following key features:

• For Nursery and Kindergarten, it recommends activities such as family bonding through storytelling, music sessions, solving puzzles, and conducting simple DIY science experiments. 
• For Classes 1 and 2, the calendar emphasises outdoor learning, playing traditional games, and participating in STEM challenges to foster curiosity and teamwork.
• Students in Classes 3 to 5 can benefit from activities like conducting science experiments, engaging in cultural events, and experiencing role-reversal days where children teach their parents new skills.
• For Classes 6 to 8, the calendar suggests innovative activities such as skill swaps between students and parents, collaboration sessions, and sustainable project challenges that build creativity and problem-solving abilities.
• For Classes 9 and 10, the focus shifts to career mentoring programs, digital detox initiatives, and participation in arts-related activities to support emotional and career development. 
• For classes 11 and 12, the calendar emphasizes career mentorship to guide future planning, financial literacy challenges for practical knowledge, and exercises that reinforce family values.

The CBSE’s parenting calendar is designed to encourage parent- child bonding through activities that promote both emotional and academic growth. According to a press release, involving parents in their children’s education not only strengthens relationships but also offers valuable insights into learning. Furthermore, schools have been advised to adapt and customize these activities to align with their academic calendars and address the specific needs of students.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s school education minister, Dada Bhuse, announced that the CBSE curriculum will be implemented across the state up to Class 12 by 2028. During his address in both houses of the state legislature, Bhuse explained that the rollout of the curriculum would begin with Class 1 in 2025 and gradually expand to cover all classes by 2028. Specifically, the curriculum will include Standards 2, 3, 4, and 6 in 2026; Standards 5, 7, 9, and 11 in 2027; and finally, Standards 8, 10, and 12 in 2028.

Additionally, the production of Class 1 textbooks based on the new curriculum is already underway, with Balbharti tasked with revising the state education board’s curriculum accordingly. Bhuse emphasised that the new curriculum will focus on continuous and comprehensive evaluation instead of relying solely on final examinations. This shift, he noted, will contribute to developing students’ soft skills while ensuring the delivery of quality education. Moreover, the CBSE curriculum aims to better equip students for competitive examinations. By combining these educational reforms and initiatives, the aim is to foster a well-rounded learning experience that benefits students at multiple levels.

Editor’s Note:

India’s education system is changing, and the introduction of CBSE’s parenting calendar for the 2025-26 academic year is a major step forward. This new initiative encourages parents to take a more active role in their children’s education, helping to close learning gaps and support both their academic and emotional growth. The calendar includes activities for different grade levels, promoting teamwork between parents and teachers and moving away from the old focus on just exams. The shift towards continuous evaluation and the development of soft skills reflects the growing need for a more well-rounded, skill-based education. Activities like STEM challenges, career guidance, and financial literacy are preparing students for life, not just exams. In addition, the new CBSE curriculum will be rolled out in Maharashtra by 2028, focusing on comprehensive evaluation rather than just final exams. These changes signal a fresh approach to education in India that values personal growth alongside academic achievements.

Skoobuzz believes that as these reforms take shape, they have the potential to transform India’s education system, providing a more inclusive and adaptable learning experience for students. The key challenge now is ensuring that these improvements reach every part of the country, creating a better future for all students.