Scrapping of Xth board exam an unwelcome move

The recent proposals of the HRD ministry envisaging to make the Xth board optional and replacing the marking scheme with grade system is an unwelcome move. Let us analyse the logics given by the HRD minister in this regard. Firstly, the logic is to reduce the tension of students and their parents .But even with grading system the students would be pressurized and traumatized to secure good grades(if not good marks).No student would want to get a D or E grade. So essentially the very aim of alleviating the tension and trauma of students is not addressed in this proposal. The second logic is that a child need not attend board in class Xth if he is continuing in the same school till XIIth. But how many schools offer classes till XIIth level? None of the schools under state boards have facilities till XIIth. Most of the good intermediate level colleges are autonomous bodies which consider Xth mark as basis for admission. With Xth board scrapped , these prestigious colleges could conduct their own entrance for admission into intermediate level courses. This would in turn aggravate the trauma of students rather than alleviating them. Another logic given by the minister in favour of his proposal is the absence of formal exams in different western countries. Then he should consider the ramifications of such absence also. Studies reveal that the students in many western countries are very poor in maths and analytical abilities owing to such lax assessments.Even 18 year old students are unable to solve basic problems.This is clearly reflected in results of international tests like GRE. Indian students score brilliantly in the aptitude sections while the western students falter badly.
Without examinations , students would lack a competitive spirit and the zeal to perform better .Apparently by relaxing the exams at Xth level we will be inducing a peculiar ineptitude and lethargy in our students . Students lacking proper basics will face huge difficulties when they approach higher and technical education.Well educated students with sound mental and analytical skills form the backbone of our country’s development. Implementation of the proposed education policy would spur a pool of educated fools which will essentially break the backbone of our country.I hope the ministry foresees the negative ramifications of such a proposal and decides against it. Rather than wasting its time and energy on changing a well established exam procedure , the ministry should cogitate on how to provide a good education to the ill fated children’s who are hitherto denied such privilege.