Govt proposal to introduce board exams for Class 5 & 8 raises questions
A recent CBSE order raises questions over the state govt’s proposal to conduct board exams for Class 5 and 8 students in Uttarakhand
The state government has proposed board examination for the students of Class 5 and 8 of the schools affiliated with the Uttarakhand Board of School Education. However, a recent order of the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) raises serious questions over validity of the proposal.
Recently, the CBSE has decided to not implement the policy of uniform system of assessment for students in Classes 6 and 8, as it is “not compatible” with the Right to Education (RTE) Act. The central board has taken the decision following the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had raised objections on its move citing that it was in violation of the RTE.
The CBSE had earlier said that it wanted to implement the uniform system of assessment for the students of Classes 6 and 8, so as to enhance the confidence of the students, who would be facing the board examination in Class 10.
Now, the CBSE has decided to introduce pre-examination counselling to ease stress among the students appearing for the Class 10 board examinations.
Uttarakhand education director RK Kunwar said that the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) had sent a proposal to the government for introducing board examination in Classes 5 and 8 with the intention of improving the educational level and imparting quality education to the students. The proposal is pending with the state government. He said, “There are some provisions under the RTE that might have to be amended before the board exams can be given a green signal.”
Jahnwai Tiwari, a woman and child rights activist based in Dehradun, said that the system of board examination for Classes 5 and 8 in the state-run schools of Uttarakhand might not help the students. “There is presently thrust on lessening the burden and stress on students and here (in state), the government is trying to do just the opposite,” said the activist. She, however, said that the students can be provided learning through play and other methods, so that they are able to grasp better.
A government teacher based in Kotdwar on the condition of anonymity said that the government schools have already held monthly exams in January and the answer-sheets were assessed by the teachers from other schools, raising various concerns such as maintaining secrecy. “There is no provision for implementing board exams in Classes 5 and 8 when the CBSE had already withdrawn a similar move,” the teacher said.