Schools in the UAE have welcomed the assessment criteria that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has laid out for Grade 10 and 12 students.
The board cancelled the Grade 10 and 12 exams that were supposed to be conducted in India from July 1 to 15. For students in the UAE and other schools overseas, the remaining examinations were dropped in an earlier decision.
Now that all CBSE exams are cancelled, a circular was recently issued to school heads, detailing how students will be assessed. Results are expected by July 15.
The memo also explained that students who are not satisfied with their performance may take optional exams.
In Para-7 of the document signed by the controller of examination, Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, details of the scheme were explained in three points.
“(a) For the students of both classes – X and XII, who have completed all their examinations, their results will be declared based on their performance in their examinations.
“(b) For students who have appeared in the examinations in more than 3 subjects, the average of the marks obtained in best three performing subjects will be awarded in the subjects whose examinations have not been conducted.
“(c) For students who have appeared in the examinations in only 3 subjects, the average of the marks obtained in the best two performing subjects will be awarded in the subjects whose examinations have not been conducted.”
‘Fair, excellent criteria’
School leaders say the decision brings much-needed respite to students.
Zubair Ahmad, head of HR and administration at Springdales School Dubai, said: “The CBSE Class 12 students who didn’t take all their papers can appear for optional exams if not satisfied with the results – this is a wise decision.
“It’s good that the assessment criteria have now been laid out as it will expedite the college and university admissions.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Mohammad Ali Kottakkulam, principal of Gulf Indian High School in Al Garhoud, said: “Though there could be minor variations possible in the scores fixed through these assessment criteria, compared to the scores expected by individual students, there is still the option left for students to improve their result if they are not satisfied with the marks awarded through these criteria.
“I feel that the criteria are well thought out and the best possible in the present Covid-19 scenario.”
The CBSE circular also clarifies that results will be declared based on the students’ performance on their exams and their internal/practical/project assessments.
Schools said they have already sent some of their internal evaluation records to the board.
Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School in Al Khail Dubai, said: “We have sent the internal assessment marks for our Grade 10 students. This internal assessment policy is clear and was shared in advance with schools.”
Punit MK Vasu, CEO of The Indian High Group of Schools, said the revised assessment scheme announced by the CBSE is “excellent and learner-friendly”.
“It is fair and does not place students who could not appear for their exams at a disadvantage to others who were able to take their exams. It’s a welcome relief to all that results will be declared by July 15, giving adequate time for decisions to be made on university admissions,” said Vasu.
© Khaleej Times
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