JAMMU: School Education Department has restructured the existing examination system. The new system will help to increase class work days and save academic year of students.
As per an order issued by the School Education Department move has come following large number of representations, inputs received from stakeholders seeking reforms in the Board Examinations, re-scheduling of the Annual and Bi-annual/private examinations, increase in the number of teaching days in an academic year, provisional admission, assessment of practical knowledge through alternative means, etc.
The order stated that the issues were discussed with concerned authorities as also with experts.
It was observed that after the board examinations, classes do not commence for about 1-2 months till results are declared, followed by vacations thereby substantially reducing the actual duration of academic calendar. It has also been noted that the gap between Annual and Bi-annual examination of class 10th can be reduced in a manner that would provide an opportunity to unsuccessful candidates to save their academic year. It has also been noted that the present structure of bifurcation of the science papers into theory and practical examination has failed to yield the desired results as the marks allotted for the practical examination are not being awarded in a transparent manner.
As per the new system, students who appear in class 10th exams shall be provisionally admitted in class 11th after conclusion of Board exams. Students, who are declared unsuccessful in the results, shall be permitted to continue their studies in class 11th till the results of the Bi-annual examination are declared. In respect of the candidates who fail to pass on Bi-annual examination, provisional admission shall be cancelled. This mechanism shall be immediately implemented on conclusion of the ongoing 10th class Board examination of Summer Zone.
In order to ensure that the normal academic activity of the School is affected to the bare minimum, Bi-annual and private examination of class 10th and 12th shall be clubbed. Besides all Board examination shall mandatorily be held after 2 pm, so that normal academic activity of schools remains unaffected.
The Annual examinations of class 10th in Winter Zone which are held in the month of October/November shall be followed by Bi-annual/private examination in the second fortnight of February of the next calendar year and the results thereof shall be declared within a period of 30 days.
The Annual examinations of class 10th in summer zone which are held in the month of February /March shall be followed by Bi-annual/private examination in the second fortnight of June of the same calendar year and the results thereof shall be declared within a period of 30 days.
Similar pattern shall be adopted for class 12th Bi-annual / Private Examination.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive review of the marking scheme of science subjects shall be carried out and the same shall be re-structured such that practical knowledge is preferably assessed through theory paper by appropriately framing question for the purpose, while at the same time, participation in practical and final practical examination will continue as necessary eligibility, but it would only be of qualifying nature