Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled this progressive measure to boost improvement in the educational sector and amongst students.
The Ministry of Education is set to introduce a revolutionary change by allowing students to participate in their board examinations twice a year starting from the academic session of 2025-26. This initiative will extend to both the 10th and 12th-grade board exams.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled this progressive measure to boost improvement in the educational sector and amongst students.
The recently announced New Curriculum Framework (NCF) by the Ministry of Education, outlined in August 2023, underscores the necessity of bi-annual board examinations. The aim is to give students ample opportunities to showcase their capabilities without the burden of single high-stakes assessments.
This reform is primarily geared towards alleviating the stress levels experienced by students during board examinations. Furthermore, it grants students the liberty to retain their highest score from either of the two attempts, empowering them to present their best academic performance.
So, what causes this exam stress?
Exam stress in students can stem from various sources, often intertwining to create a complex web of pressure and anxiety. Firstly, the fear of failure looms large as students grapple with the weight of expectations from themselves, parents, teachers, and society at large. The intense competition for limited opportunities, whether admission to prestigious institutions or securing desirable career paths, exacerbates this fear. Additionally, the sheer volume of syllabus material to be mastered within a limited timeframe can overwhelm students, leading to feelings of inadequacy and helplessness.
Moreover, the emphasis on exam scores as the sole measure of academic success fosters a narrow definition of achievement, leaving little room for individual growth and exploration. Social factors such as peer pressure and comparison further contribute to the stress, fueling a relentless pursuit of perfection. In essence, exam stress arises from a combination of external pressures, internal expectations, and societal norms, casting a shadow over the educational journey of countless students.