Kapil Sibal – Scrap Class 10 board exams

Kapil Sibal the HRD Minister says Scrap Class 10 board exams. A move that could provide relief to Class X students, Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal is planning to scrap the Class X board examination.

Kapil Sibal said the examination-based system was a source of trauma for both parents and students.

According to the minister, since the student continued in the same school even after Class 10, board exams were not required.

“There has to be an alternative system other than exams…It’s a decision we will take after consultations with schools” - Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal

The HRD ministry will consult and take into confidence the state education boards before taking a final decision. It may be recalled that in a related move Yashpal Commitee has also recently reporrted about the reforms in higher education.

How practical it is to scrap Class X exam?

Scrapping does not means that Class 10th Board will be scrapped alltogather – it will only become optional. There are many who discontinue the studies or take vocational courses after class X – they will still take X Board.

Though minister has said scrap the exam and replace it with a Grade or Percentile system like in USA and UK – it is not a practicle move. Considering the diversity we have there will be enormous mismatch. Consider a case where a student has “Grade A” from a highly competitive Delhi based school to a “Grade A” from a school in Bihar. In comparative grading both candidates will “Grade A” but will sure have a vast difference in their abilities.

So unless we have a uniformity in the selection (of students) and delivery (of teaching) any excercise to give grades will be comparing apples and oranges.

Students have to take stress at some point in time – whether age of 15 when they are in 10th or at age of 17 when they are in 12th? Making exam options will not serve the purpose and it may make some students uncompetitive – the experts feel.

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