ICSE to include Harry Potter, Tintin and Asterix in it’s English Syllabus

English literature classes in ICSE schools will no more be the same. The Council of School Certificate Examination (CISCE) has prescribed some of the most popular books of our times -Harry Potter included -for junior and middle-school students while laying down a uniform syllabus for all schools to follow from the 2017-18 session.
Most interestingly, it has introduced graphic novels -from Amar Chitra Katha to Tintin and Asterix to American cartoonist Art Spiegelman’s Holocaust saga ‘Maus’ -for all Classes from III to VIII. This is a sea change from the time when students in ICSE schools would have their `comic books’ confiscated by teachers.
The syllabus change though, doesn’t stop here. Kids will also read about Feluda, Poirot and Holmes and read about Bilbo Baggins in JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit. While many children today are not familiar with PG Wodehouse they can now gain an insight into the iconic books.
The CISCE, which was eager to have all its schools teach the same text up to class VIII, introduced its uniform syllabus for 2017-18 in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Younger children won’t feel left out. The report states that Classes I and II will now have Noddy books as part of the syllabus–imagine that. With many illustrations, they can now enjoy their classes as they learn about Toyland and Big Ears and Tessy Bear and of course the goblins.
“We all should welcome this move as children will immensely enjoy reading these during their classes. Not everything will be serious reading”.