The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Class X examination

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Wednesday, Jul 01, 2009
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Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Class X examination

The Centre’s proposal to make class X public examination optional will not reduce the stress on students as expected. The educational standards will suffer and the quality of students decline at the class XII level. The Indian education system is among the best in the world because of the importance given in the early stages of schooling. Stress is not built into the Board exams. It is for schools to make sure that students are not pressured. Special classes and private tuitions after long days in school are what add to the stress on children.

S. Suresh Kumar,

Chennai

* * *

I think the government should elicit the opinion of students too on the proposed education reforms. In the education system as it exists, not much importance is given to practical knowledge. The aim of the examinations is to test a student’s ability to memorise a concept. It should be directed at testing a student’s ability to grasp things. Importance should also be given to extra-curricular activities which help students to beat stress. It is not just the government’s task to introduce reforms. Parents, teachers and students should work together to put them into practice.

P.T. Srividya,

Visakhapatnam

* * *

Making class X examination optional will not, by itself, solve the problem of stress among students. Children feel pressured because of their outdated syllabi, excessive lessons and dependence on badly written study guides. The government should concentrate on revamping the education system to keep pace with international standards. The class X examination will then be an effective precedent to the compulsory class XII school-leaving test.

Jimmy Rajkumar,

Chennai

* * *

There are umpteen things in education which require consideration. But the Centre’s proposal to make the class X public examination optional will only lead to disinterest among students. This examination helps students acquire basic experience before they face the most important class XII examination.

Ishwarya Chandrasekar,

Coimbatore

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