KOLKATA: From the 2018-2019 academic session, the
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations will frame
question papers of “core subjects” of Class IX and XI annual examinations, which till now was done by its affiliated schools.
CISCE has also decided that all affiliated schools will have to compulsorily use the papers for internal annual assessment. While Hills schools will have to hold their annual exams in November/December, those in the plains will take theirs in February/March. The council will prepare two sets of questions, one for Hills schools and the second for the rest.
The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations has taken the step to maintain “uniformity among its the affiliated schools across India and abroad regarding syllabus to be completed at Class IX and XI levels”, according to CISCE chief executive and secretary Gerry Arathoon. “This will help to streamline and strengthen the examination system further,” reads the circular from Arathoon.
Earlier, the council had proposed to frame the IX and XI papers from 2020. The suggestion was mooted by Arathoon at the annual conference of
Association of Schools for the Indian School Certificate in Jaipur last December.
Another reason put forward by CISCE is that the step will help to ensure that the major portion of the syllabus is duly covered so that students are not overburdened at any particular level. “Due weightage will be given to all chapters and units in the bifurcated syllabus, which will discourage cramming,” added principal of Central Modern School, Baranagar, Nabarun De.
Sujoy Biswas, principal of Rammohan Mission School, pointed out that the decision by CISCE will standardize the level of teaching and learning in all council-affiliated schools across India and abroad. “This will ensure comprehensive learning at each level,” Biswas said.
CISCE’s decision is also aimed at synchronising the syllabus with the examination system and to familiarize students with the pattern and format of the question papers.
“The council has mentioned in its notice that to ensure proper dissemination of knowledge at each level and to encourage ease of transfer of knowledge from the teacher to the taught, this decision was necessary,” The Heritage School principal Seema Sapru said. Not only will CISCE prepare the questions, but also fix a timetable for conducting the exams.
A parent who supported the council’s move said that this will discourage private tuitions and parents will have the liberty to decide on private coaching. “They will now be able to choose a teacher of their choice.”
CISCE has already made a framework of a prescribed syllabus, which is to be followed by schools. It will check whether schools are following the suggested syllabi by preparing question papers.
“Sometimes, if the question pattern is changed, then students receive a specimen question paper from the ICSE council. Students will have to take an examination based on the revised pattern in this case, which will make their preparations better,” another principal said.
