The Delhi High Court Thursday dismissed a petition challenging the decision of the
CBSE to abolish formal exams in Class 10
The Delhi High Court Thursday dismissed a petition challenging
the decision of the Central Board of Secondary Education to abolish formal exams
in Class 10 and instead use grading system for evaluation in Classes 10 and 9.
A group of schools said in their plea that the CBSE through a circular in 2009 directed
that students from senior secondary schools need not undertake the board exam for
Class 10, where as those from schools up to Class 10 shall take up the board examinations
for Class 10.
Upholding the judgment of a single-judge bench, a division bench of Chief Justice
Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said: We are unable to persuade ourselves
to accept the submission of the learned counsel for the appellant that the circular
decision introducing the new methodology of CBSE invites the frown of Article 14
of the Constitution being unreasonable and arbitrary.
The appeal being sans substance, stands dismissed, a 19-page order passed by the
bench said.
Challenging the CBSEs circulars of Sep 20 and 29, 2009, for introduction of the
grading system, petitioner Independent Schools Federation of India said these circulars
were not issued in accordance with the national curriculum framework of 2005 and
needed to be set aside.
Single judge expressed the view that an expert body like the CBSE has taken the
decision by consulting all stakeholders and such a policy decision could not be
interfered with on the ground that a better, fairer or wider alternative policy
is available, said the judges.
Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw April 26 declined to quash the CBSE notifications for
introduction of grading system from academic year 2010-11.
The division bench rejected the contention that the CBSE had failed to consider
its suggestions before introducing the system.
According to the association, the circulars placed multi-fold burden on students
and increased the workload of teachers.
The purpose of issue of the circular, as claimed by the CBSE, was to reduce
the stress on the students and help in making a holistic assessment of the students
and eliminate unhealthy cut-throat competition, the petition said.
Courtesy: Web India
