Dubai, September 01: Students studying under India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) can rejoice over a decision taken by the government which allows them to skip the board exams for Class X. One of the biggest reforms to have been made in the board’s system, it will affect more than 51 schools in the UAE.
The proposal to make Class X board optional was made by Human Resources Minister, Kapil Sabil in June. The decision, which is to me implemented from the next academic year, has received a mixed response.
“We knew this would be implemented but now the other boards need to follow suit so that there is a uniformity for students that make a shift,” said Principal and CEO of the Indian High School in Dubai, Ashok Kumar.
The students who wish to continue studying in the same school after class X can sit for the board exam. Those wanting to move have to compulsorily sit for the exam.
“Students who move out after class X are those who want to get into the state domicile quota or parents who are leaving the country. Since this is only 10 per cent, most students will be grateful that they will not have to sit for a board exam,” he said.
The board has also eliminated the system of awarding marks and replaced it with grades, with ‘A’ denoting the highest and ‘E’ denoting the lowest grade. The pass/fail category too has been eliminated.
“The grading system is a good move as students will not obsess over marks. However, I feel that making the boards optional will bring down the results of the students. In class X, they strive towards achieving good marks as they know it is valued but now they will only aim for a pass,” said a teacher in a CBSE school in Dubai.
Dr Farooq Wasil, Director of Asian Schools, GEMS, said that while the move is welcome, “The pedagogy must change to incorporate a general progression and students must be able to apply what they learn in the classroom. Examinations are not a validation for learning and thus there is a need to change the mindset of teachers through training.”
“A grading system helps cover a range of marks that could be affected by human error so I am in favour of it,” said Kumar. He said no alternative evaluation method has been designed yet to replace the board but the schools and CBSE will work toward an assesment system to enable students to select the desired subjects in the higher classes.
–Agencies