– Bandana Brahmin

Amid speculations surrounding the 2021 CBSE board exams and reports of the practical exams being scheduled for January doing the rounds, a CBSE spokesperson has clarified that the Board’s class X and XII school-leaving exams will be conducted in written mode next year. However, the exam dates have not been finalised yet. 

“We have decided to conduct the 2021 board exams in written mode under strict COVID-19 safety measures but we have not yet decided on the dates — both for the practical and written exams,” the spokesperson told EducationWorld.

“While online exams are a good alternative in this pandemic situation, in view of the fact that students and teachers are not sufficiently trained to make the best use of this mode, we believe pen-and-paper exams will be more effective in assessing students’ learning levels. Practical exams, where feasible, will also be conducted in-person; where not feasible, we will look at other methods of assessing application of conceptual knowledge,” he added. 

Responding to queries on further cut-down in syllabus  — which has already been reduced by 30 percent in view of the extended closure of schools countrywide — the spokesperson said, “There is no scope of a further reduction in the syllabus for board exams because that would impact the learning levels of the students. Apart from conducting online sessions, we are making sure that alternate forms of learning such as peer learning and telephonic instructions are being used by teachers and students to ensure learning outcomes are achieved for the current academic year.”

Talking about special provisions made for disadvantaged children with no access to online classes, he said, “Approximately 90 percent of our students are able to access online  learning. For those unable to do so, teachers are reaching out to address the learning gaps. They are employing alternate methods such as imparting instructions through phone and distributing physical learning materials to these students to ensure they don’t lag behind in their preparation for the board exams.”

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