Board Exams Twice a Year Not Mandatory, Concept Introduced to Reduce Stress: Education Minister

The Ministry of Education had earlier announced board exams will be conducted twice a year. Students will have the option to retain the best score. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has now announced that appearing for classes 10, and 12 board exams twice a year will not be mandatory. The concept of board exams twice a year has been introduced as an option to reduce students’ stress, he told PTI.

According to the Ministry of Education’s new curriculum framework, classes 11 and 12 students will have to study two languages instead of one. “Board exams will be offered at least twice a year to ensure students have enough time and opportunity to perform well. Students can then appear for a board exam in subjects they have completed and feel ready for. They will also be allowed to retain the best score,” the NCF stated. The choice of subjects in classes 11 and 12 will not be restricted to streams such as Arts, Science, and Commerce. Students will get the flexibility to choose the subjects.

Talking about the increase in student suicide cases in the coaching hub of the country, Kota, the minister said that no lives should be lost, and the government is taking steps to ensure that coaching is not required. “Kota student suicides is a sensitive issue, it is our collective responsibility to keep students stress-free,” Pradhan added.

Education Minister Pradhan further told the news agency that guidelines for foreign universities to set up their campuses in India will be notified soon. He further added that a Central Advisory Board of Education is being reconstituted to meet the demands of today’s education system. Education and Skill Development ministries are working together to nurture learners equipped to thrive in the 21st-century workplace.

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