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CBSE Class X Students to Be Graded on New System

DUBAI - Class X students of the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) do not have to battle it out for percentages this year as they will be evaluated according to a new grading system that the board has introduced for the final examinations, beginning this week.

At least 5,182 Class X students in the UAE will take the CBSE examinations at 17 centres in the country on March 5.

This year marks the first of a series of changes to the CBSE board examination system that aims to ease the pressure off students. The education body has scrapped the numerical evaluation for Class X and has replaced it with a grading scale for individual subjects.

CBSE’s move away from numerical evaluation towards a grading system is aimed at easing pressure on students taking a public exam for the first time. --Supplied photo

The grading system announced by Indian Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal, is based on a nine-point system starting from A1, for exceptional performance, to E2, for unsatisfactory performance.

Students will not be declared ‘fail’ as those receiving the lowest grade will have an opportunity to improve their performance through subsequent five attempts.

Neelam Upadhyay, recently elected Chairperson of the Gulf Council of CBSE-affiliated schools for 2010-2011 told Khaleej Times that the grading system has reduced the pressure on students sitting for the board exams for the first time. “The stress of losing out on the top rank by a mere point or two has been removed,” she said. This year we will see many more high achievers.”

School principals say the traditional numerical system has no precision in testing performance while grades will place students with similar capabilities within a common slab. However, schools will receive the percentage marksheets of all students. “But, we will only issue a grade sheet report and will reveal the percentages if the parents wish to verify results,” said Upadhayay. For 3,440 Class XII students, examinations begin on March 3. The percentage system remains but the government is contemplating a grading system at this stage as well.

In 2011, the external examinations for Class X will be eliminated completely and schools will follow a Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), that will assess students on formative and summative tests conducted over two terms throughout the year-long academic calendar.

For examinations beginning this week, students have been asked to report at the examination centre by 8:25am on the first day. Examinations will commence at 9am.

Those candidates who obtain the qualifying grades (D and above) in all the subjects excluding Additional Subject as per Scheme of Studies shall be awarded a Qualifying Certificate. Those candidates who have obtained grade E1 or E2 in the subject shall have to improve their performance through subsequent five attempts. Mr. David Ipe, Counsellor, The Indian High School, Dubai is appointed by the Central Board of Secondary Education as Helpline Counsellor for offering tele-counselling to students in Dubai schools who need guidance. He may be contacted on Telephone no. (04)3377475 between 12 noon and 4pm.

From the 2011, exam onwards Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation will be followed with four Formative Assessments and two Summative Assessments. Final grade with Descriptive Indicators will be given by the school and the certificate will be authorised by the Principal as well as by the Board in the following areas.

PART I – Academic Performance: Scholastic Areas

PART II – Co-Scholastic Areas (Life Skills, Attitudes and Values)

PART III – Co-Scholastic Activities including Health and Physical Education

The range of marks for grading will be as per 2010 examination. Appearing for the Public Examination will be optional.

afshan@khaleejtimes.comolore

NAME OF CENTRES IN UAE

1 Abu Dhabi Indian School, Abu Dhabi

2 Indian School, Al Ain

3 Indian Islahi Islamic School, Abu Dhabi

4 Asian International Private School,Ruwais

5 New Indian Model School, Dubai

6 The Indian High School, Dubai

7 Our Own English High School, Dubai

8 Sharjah Indian School, Sharjah

9 Our Own English High School, Sharjah

10 Indian Public High School, RAK

11 Our Own English High School, Fujairah

12 Indian School, RK

13 Indian School, Ajman

14 Gulf Indian High School, Dubai

15 Central School, Dubai

16 Al Ameer English School, Ajman

17 St. Mary’s Catholic School, Fujairah

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