Opinion divided as principals think CBSE's new grading system will make it an enjoyable experience but teachers aren't so sure
Opinion divided as principals think CBSE's new grading system will make it an enjoyable experience but teachers aren't so sure
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The new grading system, that will make class X board examinations passu00e9 by 2011, will be based on continuous and comprehensive evaluation by schools.
Tyranny of marks
Principals think it will do away with the rat race and encourage students to take part in extra-curricular activities.
"Getting marks is not everything and it is not necessary that a student getting top marks in academics will do well in life," says Manjula Raman, principal, Army Public School.
The new system, with its flexibility and freedom, will ensure that "students will be stress-free and pressure will be reduced as far as the .1, .2 difference in marks between students is concerned."
Lt Col P K Sharma, principal, Rashtriya Military School, agrees. He thinks the class 10 board exams have no relevance today and students will now "genuinely take an interest to learn rather than mug and co-curricular activities will be given more importance".
"The entire process of giving marks is wrong because students need to enjoy what they are studying and not just learn to pass exams," he adds.
The new grading system will also open up new horizons. "Children will think of different options in life apart from the usual medical and engineering streams," Sharma said.
But to allay students' apprehensions, he wants the grading system to be "transparent, objective and with well-defined parameters in place".
Stress? So what?
Teachers, however, don't agree that the grading system is a change for the better.
"Let kids learn to take stress," says G J Urankar, master incharge of education and a chemistry teacher at Rashtriya Military School.
Indira Gupta, also a chemistry teacher in the same school, agrees. "We all work under pressure without which we tend to take it easy. Further, grades equalise 90 marks and 98 marks."
Urankar thinks that grades will lead to dissatisfaction since 91 marks will get you an A1 while 90 marks bring an A2.
"With less stress and no exams, students' efforts will drastically fall and they will become stagnant," he feels.
Tough times ahead
G Mathialagan, a mathematics teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya School, also feels that only exams can bring in some seriousness when competition is so high.
"Till primary, there are no exams and students take it easy but they tend to face problems in the 6th grade when exams are mandatory. They will face a similar problem when they come to the 12th grade," he says.
Parents, like principals, are happy. Christobelle Joseph, a freelance journalist said, "I think this system is great and I am happy that some change is happening. I feel the emphasis is on understanding what you learn in small capsules rather than mugging which even the smartest and the hardworking have done at some point."
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