Parents, principals welcome Union minister’s decision, but worried about the pressure on students
Five years after it was first introduced, class 10 board examination that was optional for CBSE students is set to be compulsory from the next academic year. The Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar made this announcement at an informal meeting with media persons on Monday.
Class 10 boards were made optional in 2011with students being given the option of appearing for the school assessment. CBSE schools are clueless as they are yet to receive a circular in this regard. However, principals, students and parents Mirror talked to have hailed the decision though this will increase stress level in students.
Udgam school had a 50:50 ratio of students opting for boards and school exams last year. According to Manan Choksi, executive director of Udgam, “The purpose was to reduce the stress of students, but as other boards followed the mandatory board exams pattern, CBSE students did not get the real benefit as the sense of competition still remained. Although, with the implementation of board exams, stress will again knock the doors of students.“
Class 11 student of KV SAC Vastrapur Ashi Singh who preferred the school exam in class 10 said, “The trend among students is to appear for the school exams as it is less difficult than the boards. A trailer is needed for students to prepare them for the boards in class 12. But those who are not good at studies will face issues.“
Aatman Shah, a class 9 student of Udgam is looking forward to the board examination. “I readily appreciate the decision as we would be the first batch to appear for the board after its reintroduction. We will get an idea of the level of difficulty and know where we stand in the national ranking.“
“This is an apt decision. In the school exams, the papers were corrected in the school itself, so there were chances of favouritism which will not be the case if the board system is implemented,“ said Bharat Soni whose son studies in class 9 When queried about the central decision, Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said, “The central government’s decision is under process. Once it arrives at any concrete solution, the decision on state board exams will be taken.“
Source – Ahmedabad Mirror – 16th November 2016
