CBSE class X board exam likely to become compulsory

Board exams for class X, three-language formula till class X and eligibility test for principals might soon become  compulsory in CBSE-affiliated schools.

Following  a four-hour-long meeting of the Governing Body, CBSE has decided to introduce certain changes in aspects of school education. These changes however are yet to receive the final approval of the HRD Ministry.

Re-introduction of class X board exam from the 2017-18 academic year:

The highest decision-making body of CBSE has decided to make the class X board exams compulsory, beginning with the academic year 2017-18. The move comes after concerns from parents and teachers that optional board exams in class X lowers the educational standard and also makes it difficult for students to brace the compulsory class XII exam.

The CBSE compulsory class X board exams were scraped in 2010 and currently 2.5 crore students from CBSE affiliated schools can choose from board and school-based exam at the end of class X. The decision was taken in consideration of the academic stress students go through prior to and during the board exams. The decision to bring back the board exams, though seen as a welcome move by many parents and teachers, might simultaneously bring back the stress element.

Also the board exam, if approved by the HRD ministry, will carry 80% weightage while a student’s performance in round-the-year school tests will account for 20% of the overall score.

All CBSE affiliated schools to follow the ‘three language formula’ till class X:

Schools affiliated to the CBSE board will now have to implement the ‘three-language formula’ till class X’; currently this rule is applicable only till class VIII.

The three language formula  implies that students in Hindi-speaking states should learn a modern Indian language, in addition to Hindi and English, whereas students of non-Hindi speaking should learn Hindi along with their regional language and Hindi. Speaking about the rationale of the move, a General Body member said that the decision is in alignment with the directives of National Education Policy and NCERT’s National Curriculum Framework (NCF) which clearly state that the three language formula be implemented in secondary education.

Any other foreign language will be taught only as a fourth language. A couple of years back, the Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) were forced to discontinue the teaching of German in classes VI to VII by the HRD ministry led by Smriti Irani, on grounds of violation of the three language formula.

If ratified by the government, this move might cause some uproar from schools.

Eligibility test for Principals

Following suspicions of nepotism, CBSE has decided to create an eligibility test on the lines of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test. To be appointed as a principal in a CBSE affiliated school, a candidate will need to qualify this test.