CISCE will conduct a nationwide fitness test for over 31 lakh students

ACTIVE CISCE to test the health and fitness of 31 lakh students in all schools

NEW DELHI: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has launched a major health and fitness assessment programme, ACTIVE CISCE, for over 31 lakh students in its affiliated schools. The initiative seeks to incorporate resilience in schools in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which emphasizes holistic development.According to CISCE, the program has reached 31,24,073 students from over 3,300 affiliated schools. Out of these, 26,51,199 students have completed their final exams, representing about 85% completion, while another 2,64,622 exams are underway.This program focuses on the age-based assessment of physical activityACTIVE CISCE assesses different levels of physical activity based on the age of the students. For children in Grades I to III, the program focuses on movement, control and motor skills. For Class IV to XII students, it tests speed, flexibility, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, abdominal and core strength, and body composition.The agency said it is also developing a special test battery for Children with Special Needs (CWSN). Each participating student receives a Fitness Report Card, which allows schools and parents to track health indicators and physical development over time through volunteer parent input.Speaking about the process, Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Executive Director and Secretary of CISCE, said: “ACTIVE CISCE represents our commitment to putting health, wellness, and wellness at the heart of the school curriculum. Through this project, we want to create a culture of healthy living, empower students to make better choices, and establish a strong national system to monitor and promote physical activity among young students”.He said: “Olympic and international athletes are known and nurtured during their academic years. Through ACTIVE CISCE, we want to recognize young people with sports skills at an early age and encourage students to pursue sports as a good career. CISCE schools have already produced icons like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. We are committed to developing the next generation of Olympic champions and actively supporting the country’s sports activities.“States are showing increased participationTo facilitate implementation, CISCE has divided its affiliated schools into five groups covering States, Union Territories and foreign schools.According to the Council, Andaman & Nicobar Islands recorded 100% completion. Puducherry, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Odisha and Jharkhand also participated, while Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh accounted for the majority of the students tested.Schools, students and professionals are welcome to applySchool leaders and staff said the program has strengthened students’ interest in health and wellness.Mr. David George Cyril, Principal, St. Jude’s School, Gorakhpur, said: “Health and fitness are essential for a child’s growth. A healthy body promotes a positive attitude, which contributes to academic success. ACTIVE CISCE has encouraged schools to consider physical activity as an integral part of the curriculum. The program provides important information on student health, promotes a healthy lifestyle, and helps create a learning environment that prepares students not only for exams, but for life.“Student Amrit Dhankar of St. Joseph’s Academy, Dehradun, said: “My body scan helped me understand my strengths and areas where I need to improve. It has encouraged me to be more involved in sports and exercise. “dr. Joseph Emmanuel said the program is expected to create national benchmarks through the School Health Index and School Fitness Index. “These indicators are expected to support evidence-based practices, strengthen school health programs, and assist in long-term policy development,” he said.According to CISCE, the National Health and Fitness Indices created through the program show the promotion of stability, coordination and endurance among students, and also identify concerns related to flexibility, endurance, nutrition, body composition and sedentary lifestyle that may require action.