CBSE Proposes Biannual Board Exams to Reduce Student Stress
NCF recommends twice-yearly exams; Education Ministry reviewing CBSE's proposal.
Photo: OTV
The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) prepared for school education has recommended conducting board exams twice a year to reduce student stress. Based on NCF guidelines, CBSE has prepared a proposal. Sources say that the central education ministry is considering CBSE’s proposal. Soon, the higher authority of the education ministry will discuss each point of the CBSE proposal, and all aspects will be presented before the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Sources indicate that the ministry will examine every aspect of the twice-yearly board exam system. Key issues will include when this system can be implemented, the timing of the exams, and when applications for the second exam will start. A high-level meeting of CBSE is expected to be held soon.
Regarding the timing of the twice-yearly board exams, it is highly likely that the first exam will start in February. After the results of the first exam are announced, an application window will open for students wishing to appear for the second exam. Students will have the option to take board exams twice a year and choose the best score from both. The NCF recommends reducing student stress from exams and suggests changes to the pattern of board and competitive exams. Similar to the JEE Main exam, which is held twice a year and allows students to choose the best score, the board exams could follow the same pattern. Experts are also suggesting necessary changes to the pattern of the CUET for university admissions.
Currently, board exams start on February 15. Experts believe that with the implementation of the twice-yearly exam system, exams could begin a few days before February 15, and results could be announced sooner to allow time for the second exam window. In January, the JEE Main exam is held for engineering aspirants, followed by the second phase after the board exams. The NCF, prepared by a committee chaired by former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan, also recommended conducting board exams twice a year.
