New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is all set to touch foreign shores from the next academic year as the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry recently gave its nod to the former's germane idea.

An international school board, set on the lines of the UK-based IGCSE, affiliated to the University of Cambridge and Geneva based International Baccalaureate (IB) will be launched by the CBSE from next year.

The CBSE International, keeping in mind the regional aspirations will design the curriculum in flexi-mode.

"Akin to the overseas schools, which get affiliated to the IB or Cambridge, CBSE too plans to go as an international board so that the same status is acquired. Although the CBSE marks its presence abroad by catering to the Indian Diaspora mainly headed by the Non Resident Indians (NRIs) but our plan is to spread across the world. In order to bring CBSE to a recognized international institution status, it is necessary for us to be affiliated to a sizeable number of countries which will benefit both the countries," said a highly placed source with the CBSE.

Out of 10,000 schools affiliated to the CBSE, almost 125 of them function in Gulf countries. Highlighting its long-established strengths in Science and Mathematics, the CBSE International will be publicized as a worthy option to invest.

"Though the HRD ministry and CBSE are working in tandem to enumerate the syllabus for the foreign nationals, the syllabus for Science, Mathematics and English would hardly require any change but the syllabus for Social Studies would definitely require shifting its focus from Indian history, geography, art and culture," sources added.

A committee comprising of the CBSE officials, principals and academics are working on the syllabus for Social Studies to offer topics, which are more relevant to the students.

The module will offer subjects ranging from Indian history to American and European history as well as International history. Other contextual and language based subjects are also to be taken care of by the members.

"By the end of this November, the CBSE should be ready with its international curriculum to rollout the board for affiliations abroad," the sources added.