Haryana Government’s Decision of Conducting Exams for Grades 5, 8 Opposed by CBSE, CISCE

Vinod Kakumanu
March 2, 2022, 10:37 a.m.

Haryana Government has introduced board exams for classes V and VIII across all recognised schools in the state, irrespective of the boards they are affiliated with, in order to enhance the educational standards in the state. It was done through a recent amendment to Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) have raised concerns regarding this decision. Though CBSE is reported to have conveyed its reservations against this decision to the Ministry of Education (MoE), CISCE has expressed its disagreement by writing directly to the Haryana Government.

Chief Executive and Secretary of CISCE, Jerry Arathoon, has stated that since all boards run on different sets of syllabus, pattern, and teaching, it is not possible to club them under one roof. A CBSE officer has said that, as per the New Education Policy (NEP), assessments for grades 3, 5, and 8 are being planned by the board next year. He further said that first appearing for the Haryana Board assessment, and then again for CBSE, will lead to unnecessary hassle for students.

Coming forward against the state government’s decision, parents have also launched a signature campaign on social media to protest against the exams. As per Anshul Pathania, district president of Haryana Progressive Schools, all associations of private schools stand united regarding this issue, and have decided to urge the Chief Minister to cancel the exams.