Tricity: More Class­ 10 students opt for board-­based exams this year

As compared to last year when 60% of Class 10 students had opted for school-based exams, more students have opted for board-based examinations this year instead of school-based.

Of 18,147 students who will be appearing for Class 10 exams from across the tricity, as many as 9,900 students have opted for the board-based exams while 8,247 students have opted for school-based exams.

In 2016, 23,000 students had appeared for Class 10 exams and 60% of them had opted for school-based exams.

However, there are still some schools in the city including St John’s, Delhi Public among others where 99% students have opted for the school boards.

Gracy Jose, principal, St Anne’s Convent School, Sector 32 said, “More than 20 Class-10 students had come to me requesting if they can take board-based exams. Reason was common that they wanted to taste the style of board exams. We have not forced anybody. This option is left to them.”

Gurpreet Bakshi, administrator, St Kabir Public School, Sector 26 said, “Most of our students have opted for school board exams because they find it comfortable to take exams in the school premises. There is hardly any difference as CBSE sends the observers and invigilators to keep a tab. However, it’s the last time that the students have a chance to take school-based exams.”

Reema Dewan, principal of Delhi Public School (DPS), Sector 40 said, “Students are aware that ultimately, they have to return to board-based exams. However, most of my students have been opting for school-based exams. I believe only those students opt for board based who wish to go out for higher studies, or may be to some other part of the country. Though, the schools are extension of boards only.”

However, Radhika Mehta, a student of Class 10, Ashiana Public School, Sector 46 said, “It’s a belief that internal exams are not that tough as compared to the board exams, which is why I wish to take the board exams and sit at a different exam centre instead of taking the exam at the same place where I have been for past 10 years.”

Echoing the same opinion, Nitu Kaur, Class-10 student of Manav Mangal School, Sector 21 said, “We have been preparing for the board exams since Class 9 and there has been an excitement to take the board exams, where our papers will be checked by teachers across the country. In our school, the students who opt for board-based exams are called the brave ones for taking the challenge.”

One of the parents, Geetika Puri, resident of Sector 23 said, “Students do not take internal exams as seriously as the board exams. It is a good initiative that only one system will prevail from next academic year onwards.”