Unraveling the Layers: A Comprehensive Analysis of MBSE Secondary Science Curriculum with a Focus on Life Skills Integration

Abstract

In today's contemporary world, it has become increasingly important for educational institutions to provide students with a curriculum that not only imparts academic knowledge but also equips them with essential life skills which can be incorporated into our daily life. This article delves into a comprehensive analysis of the Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) Secondary Science Curriculum, with a specific focus on the integration of life skills components in the Class–IX textbook. The content analysis of the textbook is done by following the Life Skills Components proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) which are in three domains – Thinking skills, social skills, and Emotional skills while keeping in mind the criteria of the ideal science curriculum given by NCF – 2005. From the analysis of the textbook, it is identified that Critical thinking skills are the majority in number with a percentage of 39.63%, followed by Problem-solving skills with 35.45% and Creative thinking skills with 24.91% but ignored Social Skills and Emotional Skills domain in the textbook. The science textbook employed by the Mizoram Board of School Education (MBSE) enabled the students to utilize their Critical Thinking Skills and enabled the students to understand science theoretically and meaningfully in their daily lives.