The idea is currently being tested as a pilot project. By the way, Hindi practical exams are in the offing too!
Earlier this year in March, when the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted its annual Class X and XII board examinations, it came under a barrage of criticism from parents who were livid with multiple cases of leaked question papers.
Following the criticism, the CBSE had announced that it may implement a few measures, including encrypted question papers. Recently, it decided to test it.
“As a pilot project, we did this (used the encrypted system) for the class X compartment exam. There was no problem with it. We realised that the number of (test) centres were fewer—just 32. For the board examinations, we have almost 4,500 exam centres and close to 30 lakh children, so the board is deliberating on providing infrastructure at the examination centres,” CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi told The Indian Express.
Besides, he told the publication that CBSE would also provide a “printed set of question papers in the banks in case of an emergency” like technical glitches.
Under this system, the CBSE will give login details to each exam centre. The centre superintendent, who is usually the principal of the school where the exam is conducted, will get access to the question paper on the day of the exam, where it will be printed, photocopied and distributed.
Earlier, these question papers were printed, locked up in banks and then distributed to various centres an hour before the said examination. Evidently, this system has failed.
To facilitate these new measures, the CBSE will offer logistical support for its new encrypted system to various centres. Equipment like printers, internet connection, computers, photocopy machines and regular power supply will be given to these exam centres.
Meanwhile, in another significant announcement, the CBSE will introduce a Hindi practical examination for the upcoming exam season to test a student’s oral communication abilities. Speaking to the press, CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi said that it isn’t enough just to know Hindi literature. The students must learn to communicate better in Hindi as well.
This Hindi practical exam will be divided into two parts carrying 10 marks each. One part will test a student’s listening and speaking abilities, while the other 10 will be reserved for a project. Students will be marked on these practical exams by the schools themselves.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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