The Rise and Vanish of Delhi’s SoSE–DBSE Model: A Lost Chance at World‑Class, Equitable Education
The Schools of Specialised Excellence (SoSE) and the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE) began as Delhi’s bold attempt to offer “world‑class” education inside government schools, combining global‑style pedagogy, rich subject choices, and skill‑based learning for ordinary children. By linking specialised schools to a competency‑based state board with an International Baccalaureate partnership, the model tried to move beyond rote learning towards projects, critical thinking, and future‑ready skills. Yet policy instability, confusion over board recognition, and the quiet shift of SoSE admissions back to CBSE turned this ambitious reform into a cautionary tale—showing how fragile even the best ideas become when long‑term planning, equity, and trust are not protected.