Board exam experience a thrill, must for students: Academics

Nagpur: Academics say though the state government took the right call to cancel board exams due to Covid-19 pandemic, it did deprive students of a chance to experience the ‘thrill’. Some teachers with whom TOI spoke to said that being the last board exam, Std XII plays a big role in gaining self-confidence.
Purshottam Panchbhai, a senior academic said, “When students appear for an exam and score marks, that pride is there. It’s something they have earned. This is especially seen in meritorious students because they place a high value on every single percentage point. Already, some students are feeling that they got 2-3% less, so no doubt they would have wanted to appear for a physical exam.”
While these students have appeared for SSC (X) exam already, academics say it can’t be compared to HSC. Ashnarayan Tiwari, principal of Adarsh Vidya Mandir (Gandhibagh), said, “Marks of Std X are slowly losing relevance because admissions to junior colleges are easily available. So while it’s their first experience of a state level exam, the biggest test does come in Std XII due to stream specialization. Appearing for Std XII board also gives them self-confidence because then at graduation level, they shift back to internal assessments till their final year/semester.”
Earlier, Vidarbha Junior College Teachers Association (VJUCTA) general secretary Ashok Gavhankar spoke to TOI and stressed the need for giving these students a feel of board exams. Gavhankar said, “I can understand the state’s decision but I feel bad for these kids because some level of stress is very important. The few months leading up to exams, then appearing for the tests and results create a certain level of anxiety which is needed for proper development of any student. As they progress through life, the stress levels need to keep climbing higher so that they can face failures bravely.”
A coaching institute owner, who did not wish to be named, said students preparing for JEE/NEET will still get to experience that ‘thrill’, but others will be left behind. “A big part of coaching institutes is training students to handle stress and that’s why keep pushing them to their limits in exam performance. So even though HSC 2021 did not happen, they will get a similar experience in NEET or JEE. But students of commerce and arts streams will lose out and that’s not at all a good start for their future,” said the class owner.