-Reshma Ravishanker

The Central Board for Secondary Education’s (CBSE) criteria for tabulating class 12 results of students has drawn mixed responses from principals. Implementation hurdles and questions are aplenty as schools have no clarity on how marks would be announced in case of students having switched streams.

The CBSE, as sought by the supreme court submitted the evaluation criteria before them on Thursday and school principals have mixed responses to the same. While some think this would be the best possible thought in times of crisis, some rue that it would be unfair for students.

Veena S, principal, Army Public School, Bengaluru feels that this might not be the best for students. “Children did not see this coming. Considering class 10 and 11 grades to give them class 12 results would have left many shocked. Most schools usually have a stricter evaluation and are less liberal while giving them class 11 scores because they want to push them to perform better in class 12. In class 11, children are sandwiched between two board exams and schools are more focused on class 12 syllabus. In such cases, if class 11 scores are taken into account, the child will not get a grade score,” she said.

Schools are also unsure about the evaluation criteria for those students who have switched streams and are apprehensive about whether the evaluation for such students would be on par with the others.

“For instance, a child might have switched from science to commerce or arts after class 11. The scores of such children might not be great in class 11. How will the child’s individual subject marks be considered in such cases and taking an aggregate in such cases is not the best option,” said Veena.

Malathy Narayan, principal, National Public School, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru also agreed that there was no clarity on what to do in cases of a switch of streams. However, she said that the best has been done in the present situation.

“CBSE has given quite a bit of flexibility. Results are not based on any single test. This is what could have been done in the pandemic situation. However, not necessarily all students do well in grade 11. Usually, scores are low. If they give moderation and normalization criteria (like in the case of CBSE class 10), it might be helpful. Another concern is that in the remote corners of the country, it might not have been possible to conduct pre-boards due to lockdowns. What happens in such a case is a question,” she remarked.

Another principal from another Ahmedabad CBSE school, on the condition of anonymity said. “This is not necessarily fool-proof. Only after the detailed document is released can a decision be taken. A lot of students do very well in class 10. Some don’t do well at all and perform marvelously well in grade 12 as they get subjects of their choice. For instance, some student who is not great with numbers gets to omit maths completely. Scores are bound to be drastically high after that. For such students, it might not be fair.”

Also read: CBSE submits assessment system to Supreme Court, results to be declared on July 31