CBSE ?no pass-no fail? hits roadblock

Parents oppose move saying it will make kids complacent

THE CENTRAL Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) move to de-stress students of class I-V by introducing the 'no pass-no fail' concept has met with an unlikely opposition.

According to CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly parents were opposing the move on the misplaced presumption that their children might become simply complacent.

“It's unfortunate for parents are not supposed to influence the market dynamics of education,” he told Hindustan Times adding, efforts were on to evolve a consensus on the issue. CBSE had introduced a grade system which talked about continuous and comprehensive evaluation, no pass-no fail policy, no home work and school bags for kids till class II and giving “alternative home work” for kids between class III to V.

The CBSE chief said the 'no school bag' concept till class II was already being implemented in Kendriya Vidyalayas. “Here too parents are trying to circumvent the move by creating a separate bag for their kids at home. They feel that without school bags, kids can't remain focused,” he said. Saying the intention behind introducing the grade system was to empower the child emotionally and create more learning opportunities within the school system, Ganguly felt that not all kids were similar in outlook and capabilities. “Some are good in reasoning while others are good in sports. That is why we are stressing on developing multiple intelligence,” he added.

Ganguly, the president of the Council of Board of School Education (COBSE) that comprises all the 41 examination boards of the country, said that COBSE was attempting to convince various state governments of the country to replace the 'marking' system with grading.

“We are even thinking of introducing the grading system for students of class IX and X. The idea is to allow kids who are weak in some subjects to go through the next class and then gradually help them overcome the weaknesses,” Ganguly said.

He said that since CBSE results (Class X/XII) would be declared in the last week of May, the CBSE helpline that functions from February to May would help students in making the right career choice.

“Before exams, the helpline that could be reached through the www.cbse.nic.in site helps students dealing with exam related stress. There is a possibility that the helpline may begin from July instead of February,” he said. Ganguly said for the physically challenged and the visually impaired students, the CBSE has increased the extra-time limit from 30 minutes to an hour during exam time besides asking the school authorities to hold the exams of such students on the ground floor. “We are also trying to sensitize people by getting the answer copies of such candidates packed and sent to us separately for evaluation.”

He said a special centre with typewriters and computers had been provided in Delhi for those handicapped candidates who could not take their exams elsewhere. “This facility is operational only in Delhi so far, but if a student suffering from a disability informs us through his school we would arrange special facilities for the candidate.”