Telangana: Hard to have 2 exams on same day, say schools

Hyderabad: The CBSE’s proposal to conduct Class 10 and Class 12 final exams on the same day at separate timings has evoked mixed reactions.

According to a CBSE official, a committee has been set up to look into the matter and to suggest systemic changes. 

The CBSE will consult all stakeholders before taking a decision, he said. The tentative plan though is to conduct Class 12 exams in the morning and Class 10 exams in the afternoon. 

Indus International School principal Shankara Chary said, “It’s a good idea as we will be saving time and results can be advanced by at least 15 to 20 days. Right now we take about one-and-a-half to two months to complete the examination process, thereby delaying the results. If CBSE brings about this new system, we can save time and finish Class 10 and Class 12 exams within a month.”

Ms Usha Reddy, principal, Meridian School, said, “If the board wants to change the system to give more time to the teachers for corrections, they should also digitalise the evaluation process. The board should extend the time for evaluation as corrections happen in a hurry sometimes. If they extend the evaluation schedule, the pressure will ease and teachers will be a little more relaxed. Putting a cap on the number of papers that a teacher evaluates would help in avoiding errors.”

Obul Reddy Public School principal Anjali Razan said, “We haven’t received such information yet from the board but if this is true it would be a little difficult for the organisers unless the exams are conducted in different locations.”

Mr Narsimha Reddy, principal, Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, welcomed the proposal but said there were some demerits. “The afternoon exam would be tough as it will be very hot in March and April. If CBSE manages to finish Class 10 and 12 exams by the end of March it will give ample time for Class 12 students to prepare for competitive exams. It would also facilitate the evaluation of Class 10 answer sheets, so that the students can seek admissions in the last week of May.” 

He said CBSE students had to wait for their Eamcet ranks even after ranks of state board students had been released because of the delay in announcing CBSE Class 12 results. The theory marks carry a certain weightage while calculating ranks.