Class 5, 8 ICSE ‘board exams’ will not count

Mumbai city news: The board claimed that the assessment would better prepare students for the ICSE and ISC exams

Allaying fears that the proposed ‘board exams’ in class 5 and 8 will add to students’ stress, the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has assured that they will not require any additional preparation and will not count towards their academic score.

CISCE said the assessment is needed to understand students’ progress with the introduction of the new curriculum.(Pic for Representation)

Last month in Kolkata, the CISCE had announced that these exams will assess students in mathematics, social studies, and languages. On Thursday, the council issued a circular stating that the assessment is needed to understand students’ progress with the introduction of the new curriculum.

“It becomes imperative to ensure that progression of students against the defined learning outcomes is carefully monitored. The council plans to do this through an assessment,” said the circular by Gerry Arathoon, chief of the board.

The board claimed that the assessment would better prepare students for the ICSE and ISC exams. “This assessment is envisaged to be a non-threatening diagnostic assessment unrelated to classroom academic scores. Hence no prior preparation on the part of the students is required. It is not a board examination,” read the circular.

The objective is to build a strong learning foundation so that both the ICSE and ISC examinations become less demanding and more stress-free for students. Principals were relieved by the department’s clarification as they were worried that this exam will add to students’ stress.

“This will be benefit teachers too as it will help us understand learning levels of students,” said Sunita George, principal, Bombay Scottish School, Powai.

Principals said they were worried that private publishers will try to commercialise the exams.

“As long as the exams promote a healthy competition, they will be extremely good for students and school,” said Madhura Phadke, principal, Pawar Public School, Chandivli.

The council has also clarified that Sanskrit, performing arts and yoga will continue to be an optional subject for students up to class 8.

“Studying three-four languages would have been a burden for children so we are happy if the board is keeping it optional,” said Meera Isaacs, principal, Cathedral and John Connon School, Fort.