CBSE launches parenting calendar to strengthen parent-teacher communication, address exam stress

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched the Parenting Calendar for the academic session 2025-26 today, to enhance student well-being.

Around 32,00 principals, teachers, counselors, wellness teachers, parents and other stakeholders from the CBSE-affiliated schools across India attended the launch via YouTube.

Rahul Singh, secretary, chairman, CBSE; Himanshu Gupta, secretary, CBSE, Sanyam Bhardway, controller of exams, took part in the event in New Delhi. Anuradha Joshi (convener), principal; Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi; Minakshi Khushwaha, principal, Birla Vidya Niketan, Delhi, including other attendees participated in the event virtually.

Emphasising the Parenting Calendar’s role as a guiding resource rather than a prescriptive document, Singh said: “The four-section framework, designed with grade-specific activities, aligns with the Indian educational context to enhance students well-being. Schools are encouraged to implement it as a flexible template suited to their needs.”

The Parenting Calendar for academic session 2025-26follows a 4R framework: Relationship Building, Rejoicing, Reflection, and Reinforcement, offering grade-specific activities that foster parent-child engagement and development, the board said.

Explaining the need for greater parental involvement in education to bridge gaps in learning, Himanshu Gupta, said: “The Parenting Calendar provides grade-specific activities to foster holistic student development. Education is a shared responsibility, and I urge parents, schools, and students to collaborate, ensuring meaningful student growth.”

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Parenting Calendar 2025-26

As per the launched document, the calendar comprises interactive, skill-based, and reflective activities, designed for different classes.

• Nursery and Kindergarten: Family bonding through storytelling, music, puzzles, and DIY science experiments.
• Classes 1 and 2: Outdoor learning, traditional games, and science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) challenges.
• Classes 3 and 5: Science experiments, cultural activities, and role-reversal days where children teach parents new skills.
• Classes 6 and 8: Skill swaps, collaboration sessions, and sustainable project challenges.
• Classes 9 and 10: Career mentoring, digital detox initiatives, and arts participation.
• Classes 11 and 12: Career mentorship, financial literacy challenges, and family value exercises.

It also promotes parent-child bonding activities that boost emotional and academic growth, by involving parents in their children’s education, the board said.

“Schools are encouraged to adopt and customize activities to align with their academic calendars and student needs. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Parenting Calendar extends learning beyond the classroom, reinforcing CBSE’s commitment to holistic education,” it added.