CBSE Launches Holistic Progress Card for Middle Stage in UAE

India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a new evaluation system called the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) for its Middle Stage students (Classes 6–8), a move away from traditional mark-based reporting. The announcement came during the opening day of the 1st International and 31st Annual Conference of Sahodaya School Complexes in Dubai.

The HPC aims to assess learners across several domains — cognitive, affective, socio-emotional and psychomotor — offering a comprehensive, 360-degree view of student growth. This marks a shift from a summative system focused on rote learning to a more formative, competency-based approach that emphasises critical thinking, conceptual clarity and analysis.

Previously piloted in the foundational and early primary stages, the scheme’s extension to middle school signals its wider rollout. While no specific timeline was shared, CBSE said the HPC will chart each child’s progress in areas such as literacy, numeracy and personal development, providing evidence of growth through teacher assessments, student self-reviews and peer feedback.

The card is designed to engage parents actively in the learning process, strengthening the link between home and school. Assessment tools under the HPC include project-based tasks, inquiry-based learning, role plays, quizzes, group work and portfolios — all aimed at capturing strengths and areas for improvement and enabling children to learn at their own pace.

Structurally, the HPC aligns with three developmental goals: health and well-being, effective communicators and involved learners. By moving beyond marks alone, the initiative supports student-centred education and nurtures learners who are resilient, inquisitive and equipped for the future.

The introduction builds on the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 and India’s National Education Policy 2020, reinforcing CBSE’s commitment to modernising assessment practices.

Speaking at the Dubai event, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh described Sahodaya as “the living embodiment of collaboration and academic excellence”. He emphasised that hosting the conference outside India for the first time underscores the board’s ambition to be a global education provider for Indian students worldwide.

CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta highlighted the board’s expanding international presence and vision of evolving into a globally responsive education board. MP Sudha Murty, the event’s chief guest, stressed that education must go beyond facts and fuel compassion, creativity and a love of lifelong learning.

Indian Consul-General in Dubai, Satish Kumar Sivan, praised CBSE’s role in promoting quality education and cultural integration, noting that Dubai serves as an ideal global forum for educational innovation. The conference was formally opened by Meenal Bakshi and Dr Praggya M. Singh, and concluded with thanks from Dr Ram Shankar of the CBSE’s Dubai Regional Office.