CBSE 10th dual exam: mix reactions among academicians & experts

By Mehboob Inamdar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will provide the flexibility to appear for the 10th standard examination twice in a year with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) from the next academic year.

The students will have an option to choose either session or exclude subjects.

For this, the Central Board approved draft norms and will invite feedback from students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders. As per the draft, the first schedule will be in February-March  while the second phase will be conducted in May. This has generated mixed reactions among academicians and experts in the city.

Some feel that this would burden students and education machinery while others welcomed the decision. This newspaper spoke to some of the academicians and experts on the issue.

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Dr Sharda Gupta, the Principal of Nath Valley School (NVS) said that the CBSE’s decision to introduce two board examinations may seem beneficial, but it would create more challenges than solutions. She said that more exam days mean fewer teaching days, reducing valuable classroom learning time, especially for younger students who need strong foundational teaching. “Knowing they have multiple chances, students may not take the first examination seriously, leading to a casual approach toward studies. Instead of reducing pressure, facing board examinations twice a year may actually add more stress for students, teachers, and parents. Schools will have to adjust timetables, manage invigilation duties, and find time for co-curricular activities, which are already limited,” she said.

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Ashok Mundhe (Ex-Additional Collector and president of Maharashtra Public School) said today top institutes are adopting strategies to reduce the burden of the examination.

“Instead of increasing the number of examination sessions, emphasis should be on competency-based learning and problem-solving activities of students. There is a need for sufficient time for the holistic education of students. Besides textbook, students participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities is necessary for inclusive growth of students,” he said.

He said that the gap duration between February and May examinations is very less, therefore, students may be deprived of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

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Sandeep Malu, the Principal of Stepping Stones High School, feels the CBSE's introduction of twice-a-year board examination is indeed a welcome initiative.

“Students will now have the opportunity to tackle exams twice and select their best scores, embodying the flexibility championed by the NEP. This initiative aims to eliminate the stress of cramming for a single high-pressure exam by fostering an environment that prioritises understanding and creativity over rote memorisation. We are dedicated to nurturing a generation of learners who think critically, embrace challenges, and thrive in their educational journeys. Let's embrace this change together and usher in a new era of learning,” he added.

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Dr Sanjay Patil (secretary, Swami Vivekananda Public School, Sharnapur) said that the syllabus of CBSE is very vast, so, the decision of dual examination would provide an opportunity for students to opt for any or both sessions as per the study plan. He said that it would put some burden on the examination machinery, but, in general, it is a good decision. “The details of the new policy are yet to be finalised. Now, the Central Board has prepared a draft which states that sessions will be conducted in February and May against the current session of March and December,” he added.