The Indian education system works under the shadow of CBSE, which is determined by the rules framed by it. The Central Board of Secondary Education is an institutional public body that conducts educational examinations, organizations, certifies the qualifications of students and teachers.
The board’s goals are explained in vague terms on their official website. The objectives of the educational unit include words like “stress free”, “holistic”, “child cantered” education. They envision a future of “academic excellence” and “innovation” in line with “psychological, pedagogical and social principles”.
But the scope of CBSE has increased. Initially from 302 affiliated schools, the count is currently over 18000. Ensuring, or even envisioning, a holistic vision for that vast section of society is a difficult task. This will usually require rigorous work. A large number of competent human workers would need to be employed to analyse the contexts of academic existence in different regions and cultures and to carefully formulate context sensitive plans.
CBSE, Communicates Through Nationwide Circulars:
But CBSE communicates through nationwide circulars. They are standardized notices shared with affiliated schools. To be fair to CBSE, they are well written and clear in their direction. But they only define the processes of conduct and not the ethos.
A circular, dated 1 October 2021, speaking about the observance of a Mental Health Week, outlines only those possible ‘activities’ that can be done in the ‘context’, and the submission of evidence a fortnight before.
CBSE has long followed this system of communication without effective fieldwork. Under the UPA government, the CCE pattern of evaluation was initially introduced, leading to huge misunderstandings among academics. While the rigid pattern envisaged has been softened, the term continuing comprehensive education is still part of the Board’s vision.
CBSE Needs Time to Find Out Flaws in its System:
Therefore, there is scope to argue that CBSE as an institution needs time to find out the flaws in its system. The CORONA-19 situation is unusual, and the board may not be equipped with the necessary systems. So recently there is confusion regarding the board exams of 2022.
While a commendable initiative in principle, schools in general, and teachers and students in particular, are burdened by such passive aggressive demands from the Board. There is a lack of humanistic recognition in the quest for its holistic development.
Educational Unit Working Hard to Make Education System “Stress Free”:
But the board has not really changed its approach towards communication. While the academic unit is working hard to make the education system ‘stress free’, it has very little reflection on the actual people actually involved in this field.
Series Of Offline Exams, While Others Moved The MCQs:
In order to submit the names of students for the 2022 X and XII examinations, CBSE printed a 23-page circular. It was somehow full of information, and vague in its communication.
The details of the bureaucratic significance were subtly presented, while the ethos of the changed evaluation system was left vague. This led some schools to announce a series of offline exams, while others moved to future tests entirely of multiple-choice-questions.
The gist of the circular pertains to the division of secondary and +2 examinations, which are divided into two separate terms, and documenting the combined result. In isolation, the statement reads as a change in process that could go either way. But no consideration has been given to the human cost of implementing it, especially in a situation that is in such a volatile situation.
CBSE, a Public Institution is Responsible For:
To its credit, the circular system’s working structure details the various processes very well. There is a clear communication of the number of people required, deadline for submission of names, results etc. However, the instructions fall heavily on the underprepared academic staff and consumers, for whom CBSE, as a public institution, is responsible.
This is a repetition of the institutional short-sightedness that led to the failure of CCE half a decade ago. The Board will have to change the way it operates, focus on relevant research by trained field workers, and realign the funds available in that direction. While the economy hasn’t really been good for any corporation that needs to spend money for the common good, the circulation of currency through various tokens of exchange is at an all-time high.
The Board, with the support of the Government, has the power to work to its advantage, and to incorporate the digitization of education to its advantage by involving experienced teachers from affiliated schools as consultants.
