ICSE Kids Can Now Study Harry Potter and Tintin At School And We’re All Jealous

In their latest syllabus, the Council of School Certificate Examination (CISCE) has prescribed Harry Potter, Tintin and Asterix among other contemporary classics for English literature in junior and middle-school. The move was met with much excitement by school children followed by exasperation and sadness for everyone else, who missed out on this fantastic opportunity, reported the Times of India.
The syllabus which previously depended on Shakespearean and classic literature certainly could use this modern touch with the inclusion of cult books like Tintin, Asterix and the Holocaust saga Maus. This transformative change will be implemented in grades three to seven, reported

India Today. For those who worry about the lack of Indian English literature, Amar Chitra Katha also features in the list for some indigenous fun. But that’s not all, the new list also includes P.G Wodehouse, J.R.R Tolkein, Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens. Autobiographies on the list also include former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Nobel Prize-winner Malala Yousufzai. The little ones studying in grades one and two will also have illustrated books of Noddy to keep them interested. No doubt the young’uns are elated to finally have fun stories to study that they recognize.
A student of class six at Adamas International School, Uttiya Gupta, told the Times of India, “This is great news. I am a big fan of Tintin and Asterix as well as Harry Potter. Now, I would love to study them in class. The classes will become super exciting.” It’s not just the kids who are elated, educators welcome the move since it means there will be fewer kids dozing off in class. Nabarun De, principal of Central Model School in Baranagar, told the Economic Times, “We welcome this move as children will enjoy their classes. Not everything will be serious reading.“
The CISCE introduced its uniform syllabus for 2017-18 in Lucknow and while the response has been mostly positive, several educators and parents have raised questions about how this could affect the children’s language skills. Most children will not be interested in reading classics like Shakespeare outside of their academic requirements and with newer books being given more importance, there is a chance that older books will be slowly phased out completely, leaving behind prestigious literature.
Furthermore, people are also wondering whether the introduction of such ‘fun’ books will take the wonder and amazement of reading them since it will be on an academic platform. Despite the mixed reactions, the children definitely seem to approved this move, and them being genuinely interested in their studies is a big factor that any teacher will account for.

Feature Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times

Words:  Sherina Poyyail