Improve weak points, CBSE chief advised examinees

January 14, 2013, 12:00 am


Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) chairman Vineet Joshi said "With board examinations less than two months away, examinees should plan their revision according to the available number of hours daily and concentrate on improving their weak points, adding, "Solving CBSE sample papers will also benefit students."

The 2013 examinees of Class X and XII would also have value-based questions of 3 to 5 marks in major subjects. "If teachers emphasize on importance of values and they are imbibed by students, we will definitely find back the values India was once famous for," Joshi said. He advised all schools to have a parent-teacher interactive meeting at least four times in a session, which should not be limited to sharing report cards only.

Also present on the occasion of the meeting of the principals of CBSE-affiliated schools of Bihar and Jharkhand was CBSE controller of examination M C Sharma, who spelt out several guidelines related to the conduct of 2013 exams. "The number of compartmental chances allowed in Class 12 has been reduced from 5 to 3 with effect from 2013 examination, while only one chance would be given to Class 10 students to improve their performance. However, students who took Class 10 examination in 2011 and 2012 can also take this test," Sharma said.

CBSE has also made an annual five-day training compulsory for teachers from CBSE or CBSE-authorized agencies. "A continuous and comprehensice evaluation (CCE) system for Classes 1 to 8 is also in the pipeline in collaboration with NCERT and schools should not duplicate the scheme in higher classes," said Joshi.

A system for assessment of school results (comparing with previous year results of students) has also been put into place by CBSE to keep a check on schools awarding high marks to all students. "Schools would be asked to justify their marking system, failing which they might be de-accreditated," said Joshi.

Putting emphasis on imparting vocational education, Joshi requested schools to incorporate vocational subjects, such as IT-enabled services, retail, security etc in their syllabus. "We have adjusted the class 8, 9 and 10 syllabi and repetitions have been removed. Now, students can have almost 200 hours space (from almost 1,000 hours a class 9 and 10 student puts into studies) to study professional subjects and there will be no additional load on them," said Joshi.

Problem Solving Assessment exam for Class 9 and 11 students would be held on February 16. It would have 60 multiple choice questions (MCQs) of 90 marks. While the results of Class 9 students would be added to FA-4 (Formative Assessment), Class 11 students would be issued certificates.

Speaking on the sidelines of meet, Joshi told TOI that unlike last year when a number of anomalies were reported in the newly-formed Bihar/Jharkhand zone, this year the regional office was better prepared to conduct the examinations. Principals were also advised to regularly check the CBSE website.