The Centre on Friday treaded cautiously on the issue of reintroduction of CBSE class 10 exams stating it is in its favour but the policy is still under review.
“The policy is under review. The decision has not been taken. But we want it (reintroduction of Class X board exams),” HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said during an interaction with media at a get together. He said a committee of Ministers of five States and parents across the board though demanded reintroduction of the board exams for the 10th class saying standards have fallen, any final decision would be taken during the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) meeting on Tuesday.
The Minister said the Government was, however, keen that educational “outcomes” should be maintained for respective classes even if exams are not held and schools should maintain it.
“There have been representations from academicians as well as organisations of parents saying that scrapping the exam and with the no-detention policy being in place, the academic standards are being affected,” a senior HRD Ministry official said.
“Also, it is being observed that students are unable to take the pressure of appearing directly for Class XII boards which are an important deciding factor for the career they choose,” the official said, adding, while no consensus has been reached yet on when to reintroduce the system, 2018 is considered to be an approachable target.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class X examination was scrapped in 2010 and replaced with the current Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) that provides for tests and grading through the year as a means to reduce pressure on students. The issue of bringing amendments in the no-detention policy is also on the agenda of the CABE meeting.
The policy, which applies to students up to Class X at present, is likely to take into account students till Class V only for no-detention.