Making CBSE class 10 exam does not solve the core problem

Mr Kapil Sibal is minister and no one can stop him from doing what he wants to do because he has support from Indian PM who was educated in Oxford and would like to see similar education system as it exist in UK. The first casuality of determination is CBSE class 10 exams that are made optional now. His argument are that class 10 exams are irrelevant because no student is judged on the basis of class 10th marks for university entrance and it puts undue pressure on the students. It seems very logical argument. Why have exams for class 10 when no one care for the results? But the same logic how can be justify the exams for the class 12th. Are they still young for the pressure? Just a gap of 2 years do not make them extra mature to handle the pressure. Now how can, if a student wants to, a student change school after class 10? They will not have any credible report to show their worth. What will happen if a students fails in the internal grading because his/her teacher does not like him/her but pass the external optional exams with high grades?

I believe the major problem was not the exam in itself but the way they were conducted. This year almost 90% student cleared the exam. What is expected when the CBSE exam will become optional? Do we want 100% to pass through class 10? It might not happen because there will be some student who just can not pass any amount of liberty is given. At the same time who will take the liability of giving false hope to the parents of students in class 10. A large number of private school will pass 100% of their students to make students and parents happy. If in one such private school 90% students fail in class 12th then what will be do? Wouldn't it be counter-productive and more stressful for students and more suicide case? A brilliant student of class 10 failing terribly in class 12.

Not surprisingly these exams were not left of any significant in recent years. A large number of students get over 95% overall and even in subject like history and language. It is difficult to believe that the students were to brilliant that so many got such a high percentage. It was the papers were set and the classes were conducted during the whole year. Students were prepared for the exam questions only rather than their holistic development. There is huge difference in the infrastructure of some private school and poorly funded public schools. Teachers do not come to classes and weaving sweaters during the class hours have been common sight in public (government funded) school.

The honorable minister needs to tackle the problem of quality, accessibility, infrastructures and affordability otherwise only the students of elite class will continue to go to the best schools and reap the benefits whatever the format of grading is used.