'Optional' board exams is a favourite among 72% of Class X students

Its been 2 years since the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) decided to make the board exam for Class X as optional, and yet a significant number of students are still opting to appear for this exam.

Almost 72 per cent of students from Class X have chosen to register for the board exam over school examinations, as per the data for the year. Of the 17,458 students from Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula who will be appearing for the exams of Class X, about 12,460 have enrolled for board exams.

R J Khanderao, CBSE regional officer said, "This year, the number of students who are appearing for Class X exams has increased by 10%. We had around 13,000 to 15,000 students who had appeared for Class X exams last year but this year, we have more than 17,000 students."

"Going by the data we have compiled, it seems that the students are still opting for board exams against the school exams. Of the total number of Class X students, only 5,051 students have opted for school examinations," he added.

KBDAV's principal, Madhu Bahl said, "The board exams becoming optional for the students have not made a huge difference as in our school, more than 90% of the students have opted for them."

According to the students who are appearing for the board examinations; seriousness required is brought along in the board exams, despite the fact that they have been taking the exams for 10 years.

"The difference between the board exams and the general exams is that more effort is required. It prepares us for competition in the future," said a Class X student.

Vivek High School's principal, H S Mamik said, "The final choice has been left to the students but they should know that board exams are relatively easier than the school exams. CBSE is working a lot towards improving the education system, which is why they made the board exams optional but now the provisions are such that board exams have become a lot easier."

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