Bengaluru: Kids may not shun the idea of learning anymore thanks to the new English coursework in the ICSE syllabus. Harry Potter, Tintin and Asterix no longer have to be restricted to recreational reading; it is part of the syllabus.

Apart from Harry Potter, English literature in ICSE schools will now include Agatha Christie novels and ‘The Hobbit’. Classes three to eight will have, on their syllabus, comics strip stories of Asterix, Tintin, and graphic novel ‘Maus’, a Holocaust saga by American cartoonist Art Spiegelman.

“It is awesome that we will read what we love reading and not worry about fat literature books that we don’t enjoy,” says Mrinalini Das, class four student of Sherwood High School.

Vivaan Singh of Greenwood High International School was equally ecstatic. “I always study English just before the exam. I never enjoyed my classes as such. But from next year onwards it will be different. I love the Harry Potter series. I want to go on an adventure with Captain Haddock,” he enthused.

Amrita Das, a former teacher and a parent feels that the new syllabus represents today’s language and is a good change from heavy works, such as those by Shakespeare, which are not in sync with today’s life and understanding.

Contrary to this viewpoint, Sneha Kumar, a teacher at the AECS Magnolia Maaruti Public School says, “It is not a good move. They are anyways reading this during their free time. This can’t be included in serious reading. Shakespeare and other classics should be the only reading material.”

Smriti Shrivastava, a teacher at Sherwood High School, agrees, “This is far removed from reality. I am not happy as a parent to know that this is part of the syllabus now.”