Srinagar
Amid confusion over syllabus curtailment for class X and XII classes, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) has clarified that the students have only been given choice to attempt seven out of 10 questions in the exams.
“Thirty percent of the syllabus has not been reduced. We have said that if students will attempt 70% questions in exams that will be treated as 100%. For example, if there are 10 questions, students can attempt only seven. These seven will be considered as 100%. It is up to students whether they cover 70% or 100% syllabus,” Secretary BOSE, Riyaz Ahmad told The Kashmir Monitor.
Riyaz noted that students in Kashmir are used to lockdowns and it is nothing new. “Last year there was lockdown too but no relaxation was granted. Students succeeded in annual exams. We are hopeful that students will excel this year too,” he said.
Riyaz’s explanation comes against the backdrop of the recent government announcement to curtail the syllabus by 30 percent.
“Syllabus for 10+2 class exams reduced to 70 % for JKUT… This also applies to 10th class syllabus,” tweeted Asgar Samoon, Principal Secretary to Government, School Education and Skill Development Department on August 15,
However, confusion has gripped the students as BOSE has given a new spin to the syllabus relaxation decision.
“There is a lot of confusion. We don’t know which portion has been omitted. Technically we have to prepare a 100% syllabus. We have not even studied the 11th class syllabus which forms the base for 12th class because we were sitting home since August last year. We have not even completed a 10 % syllabus of 12th class. How will we appear for 70 %,” said Basit Ahmad, a class XII student.
Students said they can’t figure out what to do as exams are drawing closer. “If we fail or even pass with low grades, we will not be eligible for admission in engineering or medical colleges. BOSE has to clarify about relaxation. Otherwise, they should postpone exams until March so that we can get more time for preparation,” said Afaan, another 12th class non-medical students.
Class 10th students are also anxious and cannot decide what portion of the syllabus has been excluded.
“We have not attended classes even for 20 days. The lockdown has not even allowed us to opt for private tuitions. The online classes have not helped too. We could not access classes on 2G speed. Many cannot afford smartphones,” said Fiza Ashraf, a class 10th student.
