CBSE shifts to online evaluation for Class 12, short prep time a concern

Kolkata: Ahead of the Board exams, CBSE has issued a circular stating that the evaluation system for Class 12 will be based on the on-screen marking (OSM) system, while Class 10 evaluation will continue to follow the manual system. Although the circular said this method would make evaluation faster and error-free, several principals are concerned because the preparation time is very short.CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams will begin on Feb 17. While Class 10 exams will end on March 11, Class 12 exams are scheduled to end on April 10. Affiliated schools have already received guidelines asking them to ensure readiness with a computer lab, the latest internet browser, and a reader. Schools were also asked to ensure proper internet connectivity and an uninterrupted power supply.
Principals have given mixed reactions to the change in the evaluation system at the higher secondary level. Some said the new system would be faster than the manual system and would eliminate totalling errors, saving time.G D Goenka Public School, Dakshineswar, principal Vijaylaxmi Kumar said: "We are working with an ever-evolving and dynamic Board, and we have to upgrade ourselves with time. If a school has the required infrastructure and the team is ready and willing to accept new changes, it can adapt accordingly. My school has proper infrastructure. It's a matter of training, and we are taking it in a very positive spirit."Bhavan's GKV School principal Arun Dasgupta said introducing this system will save time, money, and manpower. "The system is going to do the addition and check whether all the questions are checked or not. So, the number of errors would be minimized and manpower would be saved. However, there will be a challenge because the system is new and it needs to be learned and adapted to. Despite some teething troubles, online correction is not new, as several colleges and universities across the country follow the method."Earlier, answer sheets were sent from the exam centres to the regional office after each exam, and from there the copies were sent to correction centres for evaluation. From now on, instead of sending physical copies to the correction centres, scanned copies will be uploaded to the online system, where teachers will evaluate and mark them online.The Newtown School principal Satabdi Bhattacharjee said: "If the Board had informed us a little earlier, teachers could have enough time to practise and get used to the system. But now, with the exam just round the corner, teachers have very little time to get themselves acquainted, even though evaluation must be done properly."Some teachers and principals raised concerns as many schools lack infrastructure, which they must develop in a war-footing to upgrade to the online system.