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Centre now plans grading system for Class-XII

Last updated on: January 28, 2010 14:28 IST

After Class-X, the government is contemplating introducing a grading system at Class-XII in CBSE stream.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Thursday said the idea has already been mooted and a committee will examine how grading could be introduced at Class-XII.

"This is in thinking process. No decision has been taken. After the committee gives it report, it will go the Central Advisory Board for Education and Council of Boards of School Education in India (CoBSE)," he told media person on the sidelines of a conference on Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and other education programmes.

The government has introduced grading system at Class-X level in CBSE stream from this year. The grading system is based on nine-point scale, starting from A1 (exceptional) up to E2 (unsatisfactory).

The system takes care of human error in evaluation of answers of students and puts the marks in different brackets, which also helps in reduction of exam pressure.

At the conference, which is attended by state education secretaries, Sibal said it is time for thinking about a new education structure to help students compete globally.

"It is time for us to think what is the expectation of parents and children and what kind of learning the students should embrace. Is learning process a one-way street," Sibal said.

On the need for reforms in examination system with focus on testing the potential of students, he said the present examination system, which is based on textbooks, makes students memorise the content and reproduce it during test.

The minister stressed on building education capital that would help creation of wealth in the country.

"We need to move forward a core curriculum. There can be a core curriculum for subjects like science, mathematics, physics and those subjects, which do not have any diversity," he said.

Sibal said the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) has helped in expansion of school education as 99 per cent of the habitations in the country have a got a primary school. However, quality is still a matter of concern, he said.

Teachers are central to quality of education. But, at present, about seven lakh teachers in primary schools are not properly trained. There will be need for another five lakh teachers in elementary education after the government implements the Right To Education Act.

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