Question 1:

Romika Wadehra Please explain that without creating any pressure on the child, how can we make the child understand the importance of the loss of marks due to sheer carelessness in exams?

• Carelessness in exams can become a habit and children do not grow out of it unless a conscious effort is made towards correcting them. There is no use knowing the concept and not scoring marks because the child makes careless mistakes. We refer to these as common mistakes children make or misconceptions and enough practice worksheets have to be done before the exam with pointed emphasis on the common mistakes the child makes. Where the child makes mistakes has to be reinforced so that when attempting the test, he remembers that he is prone to make that mistake and avoids it.

Question 2:

Rabia Thekedar CBSE student should follow text book or refer to other book in Tenth board?

• CBSE exams papers are set totally from NCERT Textbooks and these have to be studied cover to cover. Previous years’ board papers (Shiv Das publishers) can be practiced to get familiarity with the language of the questions asked.

Question 3:

Reena Vador My son is in 9^th standard, but he gets scared writing at examinations. How can we handle this?

• The only way of getting rid of nervousness and anxiety before exams is to practice writing answers. Break the syllabus into small capsules and let the child’s study be guided by questions. Learning becomes complete and consolidated only when the child is comfortable with the questions that can be asked on the topic. As a parent help him answer as many questions as he can after he has studied a topic.

Question 4:

Nelson Almeida Why are CBSE norms not adhered to strictly by all the affiliated schools? While last year CBSE made it mandatory that there should not be sale of books or uniforms in the school premises, but this is still being practiced at few schools I know.

• Though CBSE has such norms laid down in order to prevent commercial exploitation by schools, some parents and schools consider this facility as a convenience offered to parents. It is not mandatory to buy these from the school.

Question 5:

Nelson Almeida Cant the WHOLE education system in India follow a common scale of rating a student. For ICSE & State boards have marks and its only CBSE following the grading system. Can’t there be a uniform code?

• Education being a state subject, the centre cannot force states to follow CBSE policy. They can only advise them.

Question 6:

Neelakshi Varma The current CBSE syllabus is vast, and additional extracurricular activities stress kids a lot. They are left with no time to play and socialize. Can something be done on this 2 reduce the burden on our kids?

• The policy with regard to CCE is meant to even out pressure through the year. It will take parents some time to realize that this system actually spreads the work responsibilities evenly through the year and not just towards the end. Children have to learn to take all activities in their stride. That is the ideal learning environment, not just for final exams in the end. And education is about scholastic and co-scholastic development…holistic education.

Question 7:

Meenakshi Munjal The whole CCE system has messed up the whole education system, Can’t we get back the same system of boards and marks for class 10th?

• The response to CCE across the country has been very positive. You will have to open your minds to the winds of change. Across the globe, this is where education is heading. And as parents we have to orient ourselves to changing trends.

Question 8:

Ishah Sha Why do we consider only age in accordance with marks and grades kids study, we have seen examples of young kids excelling well in higher level of education, so why the barrier of passing every grade?

• While more and more progressive schools are encouraging students to study at their own pace and time, and in their own style, it is important that the child goes through every level/grade as these are formative years and cannot be rushed. Concept clarity and maturity will come only if every stage of learning is fully internalized.

Question 9:

Sandhi Sharma Sandhir My question is based on the whole idea of evaluating someone in just one exam, as against the summative system? What’s your opinion and how much importance school exams should have in the selection exam for IIT and PMTs

• A single exam is never a good idea of evaluating a child for his ability and that is why the CBSE is moving towards the CCE system of evaluation. With regard to IIT and PMT, and whether school exams are important or not, my view is that every exam that a child writes must be given justice as each of them is a stepping stone for the future. School exams cannot be ignored because in the long run these marks stay with you for life. Having said that, in my many years of experience I have found a very high correlation between school exams and competitive exams. It will be a rare case that a child gets into IIT or PMT and does not do well in school exams. The underlying principle is mastering a concept regardless of which exam the child is preparing for.

Question 1:

Romika Wadehra Please explain that without creating any pressure on the child, how can we make the child understand the importance of the loss of marks due to sheer carelessness in exams?

• Carelessness in exams can become a habit and children do not grow out of it unless a conscious effort is made towards correcting them. There is no use knowing the concept and not scoring marks because the child makes careless mistakes. We refer to these as common mistakes children make or misconceptions and enough practice worksheets have to be done before the exam with pointed emphasis on the common mistakes the child makes. Where the child makes mistakes has to be reinforced so that when attempting the test, he remembers that he is prone to make that mistake and avoids it.

Question 2:

Rabia Thekedar CBSE student should follow text book or refer to other book in Tenth board?

• CBSE exams papers are set totally from NCERT Textbooks and these have to be studied cover to cover. Previous years’ board papers (Shiv Das publishers) can be practiced to get familiarity with the language of the questions asked.

Question 3:

Reena Vador My son is in 9^th standard, but he gets scared writing at examinations. How can we handle this?

• The only way of getting rid of nervousness and anxiety before exams is to practice writing answers. Break the syllabus into small capsules and let the child’s study be guided by questions. Learning becomes complete and consolidated only when the child is comfortable with the questions that can be asked on the topic. As a parent help him answer as many questions as he can after he has studied a topic.

Question 4:

Nelson Almeida Why are CBSE norms not adhered to strictly by all the affiliated schools? While last year CBSE made it mandatory that there should not be sale of books or uniforms in the school premises, but this is still being practiced at few schools I know.

• Though CBSE has such norms laid down in order to prevent commercial exploitation by schools, some parents and schools consider this facility as a convenience offered to parents. It is not mandatory to buy these from the school.

Question 5:

Nelson Almeida Cant the WHOLE education system in India follow a common scale of rating a student. For ICSE & State boards have marks and its only CBSE following the grading system. Can’t there be a uniform code?

• Education being a state subject, the centre cannot force states to follow CBSE policy. They can only advise them.

Question 6:

Neelakshi Varma The current CBSE syllabus is vast, and additional extracurricular activities stress kids a lot. They are left with no time to play and socialize. Can something be done on this 2 reduce the burden on our kids?

• The policy with regard to CCE is meant to even out pressure through the year. It will take parents some time to realize that this system actually spreads the work responsibilities evenly through the year and not just towards the end. Children have to learn to take all activities in their stride. That is the ideal learning environment, not just for final exams in the end. And education is about scholastic and co-scholastic development…holistic education.

Question 7:

Meenakshi Munjal The whole CCE system has messed up the whole education system, Can’t we get back the same system of boards and marks for class 10th?

• The response to CCE across the country has been very positive. You will have to open your minds to the winds of change. Across the globe, this is where education is heading. And as parents we have to orient ourselves to changing trends.

Question 8:

Ishah Sha Why do we consider only age in accordance with marks and grades kids study, we have seen examples of young kids excelling well in higher level of education, so why the barrier of passing every grade?

• While more and more progressive schools are encouraging students to study at their own pace and time, and in their own style, it is important that the child goes through every level/grade as these are formative years and cannot be rushed. Concept clarity and maturity will come only if every stage of learning is fully internalized.

Question 9:

Sandhi Sharma Sandhir My question is based on the whole idea of evaluating someone in just one exam, as against the summative system? What’s your opinion and how much importance school exams should have in the selection exam for IIT and PMTs

• A single exam is never a good idea of evaluating a child for his ability and that is why the CBSE is moving towards the CCE system of evaluation. With regard to IIT and PMT, and whether school exams are important or not, my view is that every exam that a child writes must be given justice as each of them is a stepping stone for the future. School exams cannot be ignored because in the long run these marks stay with you for life. Having said that, in my many years of experience I have found a very high correlation between school exams and competitive exams. It will be a rare case that a child gets into IIT or PMT and does not do well in school exams. The underlying principle is mastering a concept regardless of which exam the child is preparing for.