School curricula around the world are experiencing dramatic modifications in 2025, stressing integrative learning, practical skills, mental wellness, and digital fluency
🇵🇰 Pakistan – Punjab Matric Curriculum Overhaul (Effective April 2025)
The Punjab Curriculum & Textbook Board (PCTB) unveiled a comprehensive matriculation curriculum change starting April 1, 2025. The new structure provides three academic tracks: Health Sciences, Agriculture Sciences, and Fashion Designing—each with compulsory electives. Existing scientific textbooks are being replaced altogether. 
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A notable innovation is the combination of co‑curricular and practical modules, including civil defence, first aid, community service, debates, and quizzes—with a dedicated weekly session for skill development. 
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This corresponds with the overall strategic objective under NECTAA governance, materializing Punjab’s ambition to pivot from rote learning to future-ready competencies. 
Drishti IAS
🇺🇬 UAE – AI Education for Pre‑Primary Students
The United Arab Emirates is pioneering AI literacy from age four in state schools. Offering up to 20 hours per year, the curriculum emphasizes ethical AI, quick writing, and critical evaluation of AI results. 
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This futuristic effort intends to foster digital fluency early and corresponds with UAE’s overall objective to become a regional AI hub. 
Financial Times
🇬🇧 England – RSHE Reform to Combat Online Misogyny & Promote Mental Health
England’s new Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance, mandatory from September 2025, includes:
Legal literacy on strangling and gender identity
Screening of internet dangers, incel culture, mental health concerns, sextortion, and suicide prevention
Positive male role models and parental rights to view content
Mental health education starts in primary school, with suicide prevention offered in secondary 
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This program indicates a social swing toward proactive emotional resilience and safer digital practices. 
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🇮🇳 India — Curriculum Shifts Under NEP 2025 & State-Level Reforms
NCERT Updates (Classes 5 & 8)
Aligned with NEP 2020 and the NCF-SE 2023, NCERT produced 10 new textbooks integrating activity-based learning, multilingual parts, real-world applications, and cultural topics like classical Urdu music. 
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Social Science Revisions (Class 8)
New textbooks recast Mughal-era history with nuanced language—describing Babur as “ruthless” and Akbar as “brutal yet tolerant”—and discourage moral judgment. A footnote underlines that history’s objective is comprehension, not blame. 
The Times of India
National NEP 2025 Highlights
The redesigned NEP curriculum emphasizes:
Interdisciplinary and project-based learning
Reduced rote content and increased mental clarity
Core life skills: ethics, digital literacy, critical thinking
several-choice, open-book board exams; several attempts per year
Decentralized assessment with constant formative evaluations
Enhanced bilingual instruction and cultural education 
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States like Kerala are also introducing holistic Plus-One programs focused on cyber safety, mental well-being and counseling—under projects like Koodeyundu Karuthakkan. 
The Times of India
🇮🇳 State Spotlight – Maharashtra: Vision for 70% Enrollment by 2029
Maharashtra launched its Viksit Maharashtra @2047 roadmap—targeting 70% school enrollment (up from 41%) and reducing dropout rates to 4% within four years. Measures include:
Digital learning platforms
Vocational integration from Class 6
Model block-level schools with STEAM labs, sports and internship facilities
Teacher training associated with NEP 
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🇧🇩 Bangladesh – Competency-Based Curriculum Rollout (Classes 1–10)
Bangladesh is developing a radical competency-based curriculum across Class 10 by 2025, shifting lower secondary from distinct streams to a single 10-subject framework oriented on well-being and character-building. Around 40% of student evaluation now happens through continuous assessment, minimizing dependence on coaching. 
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Common Themes & Key Takeaways
Competency over memorization: All areas aspire to progress from rote learning toward critical thinking, character-building, and real-world skill application.
Early integration of AI, mental health, and life skills: Curricula increasingly emphasize wellness, ethical AI use, and meaningful relationships.
Flexible assessments and student choice: Multiple exam tries, open-book formats, multidisciplinary electives, and holistic grading lessen pressure.
Teacher capacity-building: Ongoing training to implement student-centered teaching is key to reforms.
Infrastructure & equity: Better facilities, inclusion, standardized testing techniques, and digital readiness are prioritized.
Benefits & What’s Ahead
Students develop increased adaptability, emotional resilience, and employment preparation.
Curricula better match 21st century demands—such as AI literacy, STEM, and cross-disciplinary learning.
Governments will need to invest in teacher development, digital infrastructure, and regular curriculum revisions to ensure enduring impact.
New School Curriculum 2025: From Punjab’s matric redesign with practical electives to England’s RSHE emotional and legal education reform; UAE’s AI literacy for four-year-olds; India’s NEP rollout with activity-based and historical revision; and Maharashtra’s goal for 70% enrollment. Explore competency-based learning, interdisciplinary study, wellness education, and exam reform determining the future of classroom education.
Related recent curriculum news
The Times of India 10 freshly released NCERT textbooks for classes 5 and 8: Check the complete list here
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The Times Pupils to be taught strangulation is criminal to counter ‘incel culture’
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The Times of India
‘Akbar cruel but tolerant, Babur ruthless’: NCERT revises Mughal-era depiction; inserts a no-blame footnote
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The Times of India Maharashtra’s draft visionary document: Increase school enrolment from 41% to 70% in the next four years, cut student dropout by nearly 4%
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