Higher secondary model exam timetable draws flak

The higher secondary model examination timetable that schedules two examinations a day from February 17 to 21 has come in for criticism.

The model examination conducted as per the current schedule will not be adequate to gauge students’ performance, the Aided Higher Secondary Teachers’ Association has alleged.

The association said in a statement on Thursday that the higher secondary classes had 46 subject combinations. The subject combinations available in a school also varied. This had not been considered in preparing the timetable, according to which the examinations will conclude in five days.

All Plus One students, for instance, have second language on Monday morning and English examination in the afternoon. Plus One Commerce students who have Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, and Computer Applications as the other subjects will appear for the examinations in these in the morning and afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Plus Two Commerce students also have two examinations on Wednesday and Thursday.

On many days, four students will have to sit on one bench and appear for the examinations. This is not conducive to students’ preparation or how they approach the examinations.

The AHSTA pointed out that only one exam a day was scheduled during public examinations held in March. Students also got adequate gaps between the examination days. The model examinations should follow a similar pattern. Its timetable should be reworked scientifically so as to benefit students, it said.