[lg policy] india: Schools show thumbs up for mandatory board exams in Class X for CBSE students

[Harold Schiffman]

Schools show thumbs up for mandatory board exams in Class X for CBSE
students
Meghana Choukkar, Dec 22, 2016, Bengaluru, DHNS:
[image: The question papers for both exams are set by the Board, but the
school-conducted exam is evaluated by the faculty. DH] *The decision by the
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to make board examinations
mandatory for Class X 2018 onwards has been welcomed by schools in
Bengaluru.*

“Most students opt to write exams conducted by the Board, instead of the
one conducted by the schools. Across the branches of Delhi Public School
(DPS), only 6-7% students wrote the school exam, so this will not make much
difference,” said Mansoor Khan, who is on the management board of the
school.

The question papers for both exams are set by the Board, but the
school-conducted exam is evaluated by the faculty.

“This is a good move as otherwise, there were parents who complained that
teachers were partial. These students were seen to have an advantage over
those who write the Board exams,” said Dr M Srinivasan, principal of GEAR
Innovative International School.

Raghavendra Prasad, whose son is now in Class 8, said, “This will lead to a
level playing field because the schools will have lesser role in deciding
the student’s grade. Otherwise, the grades would vary from one school to
the other and from rural to urban areas.”

However, the decision to change the weightage to 80% for external and 20%
for internal will make a difference. Earlier, the internal assessment had
40% weightage.

“With such continuous internal evaluation there were many projects and
group discussions which took learning beyond textbooks. The change in the
weightage could reduce such activities, but it would depend on the school
as well,” said Manju Arif, principal of DPS North.

The CBSE has recommended to the Ministry of Human Resources Development
that the three-language policy be extended to Classes IX and X. The policy
applies till Class VIII students at present and students have to study two
languages besides English, which is compulsory.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/587787/

“Since students are already studying the subjects till Class VIII,
extending it further wouldn’t be a burden or added pressure. The third
language usually has a curriculum of only two classes per week,” Manju
said.

Other educationists said a third language was unnecessary and expressed
concern that it may adversely students moving from one state to another
after Class VIII.

Parents say CBSE should take it slow and bring changes incrementally. Class
X student Poornashree S is not keen on having one extra subject. “We were
happy when we came to Class IX as we had only five subjects. If it
increases to six, it will be tough.”


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