MANSI BHAMBRI /Dehradun
Experts expressed mixed opinion regarding the recent announcement by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which has approved the norms for conducting board exams for class X twice a year starting in 2026, as suggested in the National Education Policy(NEP). This initiative, which is expected to benefit students by allowing them to enhance their performance, has elicited a variety of responses from experts.
Former additional director of the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Chief Education Officer of Dehradun, Pradeep Rawat acknowledged that the initiative aims to improve student performance but questioned whether it would truly lead to a positive change. Rawat argued that having board exams twice a year might not only affect students but also necessitate shifts in the entire educational system, including the roles of teachers and administrators. The teachers in schools will be assigned additional responsibilities for creating question papers, evaluating answer sheets and other related tasks. As a result, the regular learning process for students may be disrupted due to teachers’ involvement in these activities. To ensure the success of this initiative, it is advisable for the authorities to develop a strategy that prevents any disruption to the students’ regular learning, he emphasised.
“I commend the recent announcement by CBSE. The decision to conduct examinations twice a year is expected to greatly benefit students. This will provide students with two opportunities to excel and I am confident that over time, this will lead to improved results,” stated, former director of Secondary Education in Uttarakhand, Seema Jaunsari.
In addition to this, the former president of the teachers’ association at SCERT Uttarakhand, Ankit Joshi expressed his satisfaction with the recent decision by CBSE to conduct the class X board exam twice a year. He said that this change will alleviate the pressures associated with board examinations, which are often influenced by various factors, including parental expectations. This decision aligns with the NEP, which aims to alleviate students’ fears surrounding board exams. Joshi also said that this move will contribute to reducing the exploitation of children by coaching institutes. Further, he believes this decision will serve as an example for other educational boards, including State boards and others, prompting many to adopt similar practices as CBSE.
