Reintroduce board examinations: Students to Irani

New Delhi: Students have sought from the government the reintroduction of board examination as they feel the Continuous and Comprehensive Education (CCE) system has fostered a laid back attitude.

They also sought upgradation of NCERT syllabi, arguing that absence of relevant content was driving them towards coaching centres to prepare for competitive examinations.

In a candid interaction with HRD minister Smriti Irani here, students from government and private schools put forward their suggestions as the Ministry embarks on framing a new education policy next year.

Introduction of value education, career counselling, making the teaching profession more attractive were some other suggestions put forth by students who represented some of the established schools in the country.

But the underlining concern during the interaction was on CCE and the contention that it was not helping improve standard of education.

The CCE system was introduced in 2009 with the enactment of the Right To Education to bring about a holistic development among students. The system replaced the board examination but there has been a growing criticism of the system ever since its launch.

A sub-committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) headed by former Haryana education minister Geeta Bukkal has also recommended reintroduction of the detention policy.

Irani said she would raise the concerns expressed by students at the forthcoming CABE meeting.

"We want the board examination to be brought back," said one of the students. He was supported by his fellow classmates, who felt that CCE has brought in a "laid back attitude".

Talking about the syllabi, most supported upgradation of NCERT syllabi so as to help students prepare for the competitive examinations.

A few also questioned the outcome of having practical classes as they hold little "relevance" in present times.