Students against optional board exam

New Delhi: The biggest education reform initiated by former HRD minister Kapil Sibal faced a major setback as school students opposed implementation of the CCE system and stopping of Class 10 board exams at the first consultation process chaired by HRD minister Smriti Irani on Monday.

Students at the consultation wanted the annual Class 10 exams to resume, and offered other suggestions like updating NCERT books, emphasis on moral education, making syllabuses streamlined with competitive exams and introduction of more practical forms of education.

On her part, Ms Irani assured students their concerns had been noted, and would be forwarded to the departments and regulatory bodies for action. She also sought suggestions on educational reform from students of several dozen schools and colleges in the NCR region.

Making a case for the reintroduction of Class 10 boards, several students rued the fact that they were unable to cope with the pressure of taking board exams directly in Class 12.

They noted that implementation of CCE had also allowed complacency to set in, and students could not focus on getting the best scores, that was essential in competitive examinations.

The students wanted the minister to examine mistakes in NCERT books, and many suggested these books be updated on a more regular basis.

The students also wanted introduction of marking system for moral education so that the subject is taken more seriously by students and the schools alike.