Haryana Govt Introduces Board Exams for Classes 5 and 8

The Haryana Government recently announced the introduction of Board Exams for classes 5 and 8 in the state. 

The government took this decision by amending the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules (2011), in order to improve the quality of education in the state. 

Ved Prakash Yadav, Vice-Chairman of the Board of School Education Haryana (BSEH) said while talking to Education Times,
“The central government amended the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 on January 11, 2019, which stated that regular examinations would be held every year at the end of classes V and VIII. In accordance with the amendment in central act, Haryana government has also amended the Haryana Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011 to introduce board exams for classes V and VIII across all recognised private and government schools in the state. The government has taken this decision to improve academic standards in the state. The Haryana board was already conducting board exams for classes V and VIII even before RTE 2009 came into existence.”

He further added that the reintroduction of board exams would result in a fair assessment of the student’s performance - One of the key points discussed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

However, this step was also met with a lot of opposition. Ajmer Singh, Leader of Union of Haryana Board Schools said, “The decision to conduct board exams for classes V and VIII is not the right step. Due to this, the students will have the extra burden of performance amid pandemic. Due to COVID, the students haven’t been able to study as the entire teaching-learning process is online and the board exams would be an added stress for them. There have been instances where the syllabus has not been completed.”

Source: NDTV

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