CBSE Class X Board Exams Likely to be Reintroduced

New Delhi: The policy of no-detention upto Class X is likely to be scrapped with the reintroduction CBSE board examinations for students of this category after serious concerns have emerged that academic standards have fallen.

"The policy is under review. The decision has not been taken. But we want it (reintroduction of Class X board exams)," HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a get-together at his residence. He said a committee of ministers of five states and parents across the board have demanded reintroduction of the board exams for the 10th class saying standards have fallen.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class X examination was scrapped in 2010 and replaced with the current Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) that provides for tests and grading through the year as a means to reduce pressure on students.

The minister said the government was, however, keen that educational outcomes should be maintained for respective classes even if exams are not held and schools should maintain it. The final decision in this regard will be taken on October 25 in a meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) which will be chaired by Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar. There have been representations from academicians as well as organisations of parents saying that scrapping the exam and with the no-detention policy being in place, the academic standards are being affected, a senior HRD Ministry official said.

Also, it is being observed that students are unable to take the pressure of appearing directly for Class XII boards which are an important deciding factor for the career they choose, the official said, adding, while no consensus has been reached yet on when to reintroduce the system, 2018 is considered to be an approachable target.

The issue of bringing amendments in the no-detention policy is also on the agenda of the CABE meeting. The policy, which applies to students up to Class X at present, is likely to take into account students till Class V only for no-detention. If the decision is taken in this regard, states may get an opportunity to devise their mechanism of re-tests for students from Class VI to VIII while beyond Class IX students may be detained if their performance is not up to the mark.

PTI