Should marks moderation be scrapped from CBSE?

Should marks moderation be scrapped from CBSE?

Grace marking is an old but valid tool used all through the school years in examinations to allow students who are lacking just a few marks for passing. When the paper is tough, grace marks are awarded for attempting the difficult questions.

CBSE has raised concern that marks moderation and grace marking is unnecessary and shall hence be scrapped off starting this year’s assessment of 12th board examination itself. This has got students and parents worried since the results are awaited soon. Pleas were filed and Delhi High Court has declared that the decision is unfair and irresponsible.

Yes

1. Inflated scores

Students are rewarded up to 15% extra marks for attempting tough questions which has become a norm with CBSE. This leads to marks inflation which has direct consequences on universities setting their cut off at 100%. This is leading to a very complex and unfair education system which can only be done away with if moderate marking is scrapped from all high school boards.

2. Unanimous decision

This decision could be taken unanimously by all the boards, centre as well as states, to ensure that the marks inflation could be dropped which would lower cut off at universities which have gone unreasonably high in past few years, closing all options for many students to even think of getting into big universities. The decision would make admission more lenient.

3. Lengthy but not difficult

The question paper is set at par with the syllabus. It is lengthy at times which is often the criterion considered for difficult paper and hence follows grace marks. It is to be noted that the paper could be lengthy for three hours of duration for answering but it is never too difficult to solve. Hence, grace marking is unnecessary.

No

1. Bad timing

The decision was brought forward via a notification after the students has appeared the 12th board examinations. They are awaiting results in great amount of anxiety and stress and to add to that the sudden decision could be devastating for students. It should either have been implemented earlier or should be taken up to the next session who will be informed in advance about the scraped system.

2. Unfair

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh school boards have decided to implement the policy starting next year which will have direct contrast in the results of students of these states who are bound to get better marks than the students of other states who shall be denied grace marks.

3. Admission issues

Students from state boards will score better due to the grace marking system. This will create difference in results and the CBSE students will face trouble getting into universities as the cut off will take in state board students with more marks due to lenient correction system prevailing there.

4. Requesting relaxation

CBSE wrote to Delhi University to provide relaxation to their students since the suddenly implemented system will be harsh on students and they should not be further stressed for admission. However, this has no effect since DU did not reply on the matter and is probably not going to consider the plea. When CBSE knows the consequence of the action on the admission of students, it should postpone the implementation to next year.

Grace marking should be scrapped but this should only be implemented next year as it is too soon to decide and other boards will get an edge over CBSE students who worked hard but failed to qualify for a cut off.