Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has recently revealed that appearing for class 10 and 12 CBSE board exams twice a year will no longer be a mandatory requirement. This significant change aims to alleviate the immense stress faced by students who fear a single opportunity to prove themselves academically.
In an interview with PTI, Pradhan emphasized the need to address the issue of ‘dummy schools’ and stressed the importance of serious discussions regarding this matter. This new approach aligns with the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) introduced by the Ministry of Education in August, which mandates biannual board examinations to ensure students have ample time and opportunities to perform well. Additionally, students will have the choice to retain their best scores.
When questioned about how this shift would make board exams “low stakes” in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP), Pradhan clarified, “Students will have the option to appear for exams twice a year, similar to the engineering entrance exam JEE. They can then select their best score, but participation will be entirely optional, with no compulsion.” He highlighted that students often experience significant stress due to the fear of missing a single opportunity, and this change will help alleviate that pressure. He added, “If any student feels adequately prepared and satisfied with their score in one set of exams, they can opt not to appear for the subsequent ones. Nothing will be obligatory.”
In an interview with PTI, Pradhan emphasized the need to address the issue of ‘dummy schools’ and stressed the importance of serious discussions regarding this matter. This new approach aligns with the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) introduced by the Ministry of Education in August, which mandates biannual board examinations to ensure students have ample time and opportunities to perform well. Additionally, students will have the choice to retain their best scores.
When questioned about how this shift would make board exams “low stakes” in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP), Pradhan clarified, “Students will have the option to appear for exams twice a year, similar to the engineering entrance exam JEE. They can then select their best score, but participation will be entirely optional, with no compulsion.” He highlighted that students often experience significant stress due to the fear of missing a single opportunity, and this change will help alleviate that pressure. He added, “If any student feels adequately prepared and satisfied with their score in one set of exams, they can opt not to appear for the subsequent ones. Nothing will be obligatory.”
Pradhan, who also serves as the Skill Development Minister, has received positive feedback from students regarding this new examination format. He expressed his intention to implement the biannual exams starting in 2024.
Notably, this is not the first attempt to reform board exams. The Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system was introduced for class 10 in 2009 but was later discontinued in 2017, returning to the traditional year-end examination model. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the board exams for classes 10 and 12 were temporarily split into two terms, but they reverted to the year-end format in the subsequent year.
Pradhan also mentioned the need for discussions on the alarming rate of student suicides, particularly in places like Kota, Rajasthan, which has emerged as a hub for competitive exam coaching. He expressed concern for the well-being of students and emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure their stress levels are minimized.
Notably, this is not the first attempt to reform board exams. The Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system was introduced for class 10 in 2009 but was later discontinued in 2017, returning to the traditional year-end examination model. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the board exams for classes 10 and 12 were temporarily split into two terms, but they reverted to the year-end format in the subsequent year.
Pradhan also mentioned the need for discussions on the alarming rate of student suicides, particularly in places like Kota, Rajasthan, which has emerged as a hub for competitive exam coaching. He expressed concern for the well-being of students and emphasized the collective responsibility to ensure their stress levels are minimized.
The issue of ‘dummy schools,’ where students enroll in schools solely for the purpose of taking board exams without attending regular classes, has been a growing concern among experts. Pradhan acknowledged the significance of addressing this issue and called for deliberations on the subject.
In conclusion, the introduction of optional biannual CBSE board exams represents a significant shift in the Indian education system, aimed at reducing the stress and anxiety faced by students. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how this change will impact the educational landscape in the country.
