Hold HS tests on campus: Teachers- Tests before HS Board Exam

SUBHANKAR CHOWDHURY  | TT  |  Calcutta: Heads of several government-aided schools said that they want to hold the test examinations for the higher secondary students on campus so they can assess their level of preparedness ahead of writing the board exams in April next year.

They said since these students would be writing the board exams-in person after a gap of two years, they should once again get familiar with off-line examinations.

These students had last written an off-line board exam when they appeared Madhyamik exams in February 2020.

The higher secondary council said on Monday that they have left it to the schools to decide on whether they want to hold the tests.

The students who passed HS exams this year did not write the test, which had been scrapped like the board exams because of the pandemic.

"We want to hold the test in early December. These students since being admitted to Class XI have attended classes over digital platforms only. We have to assess their level of preparation before they write the HS exams, scheduled to start from April 7," said Padilla' Bhattacharya, the principal ofJadavpur Vidyapith.

A teacher of the school said that they want to hold the test at the earliest so they get time to address the shortcomings.

Since the state government has yet to reopen the schools for junior section (Class III to VIII), it won't be a problem for the institutions to hold the exams on the campus, he said.

Papia Singha Mahapatra, the headmistress of Sakhawat Memorial Girls High School said the students are required to be familiarized with the off-line exams afresh. 

In May the council had cancelled the annual examinations of Class XI owing to Covid and the heads of all institutions had been requested to promote all students to Class XI.

"These students have to be made conversant with the off-line exams through the test. Besides, students can be motivated to take the final exams more sincerely if they appear for the test exams. Once they start approaching the board exams seriously, this will reflect in their results," said Mahapatra.

She said the school wants to hold the exams in the first half of February before the commencement of practical examination from February 15.