CBSE Class 12 exams 2017: Datesheet released

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the datesheet for the senior secondary certificate examination, 2016. The exams will start from March 9, 2017 and will continue until the end of the next month (April 29, 2017).

Last year, a total of 10,65,179 students had appeared for class XII examination. This year there are 10,98,420 students appearing for the paper. The number of schools have also increased as compared to last year with 10677 have registered for the exam. In 2015, 10093 schools participated.

The exams will begin at 10.30 am. To download the date sheet, log on to the official website of CBSE (cbse.nic.in).

Date sheet for class 12 exams, 2017:

Thursday, March 9, 2017
ENGLISH CORE

Wednesday, March 15, 2017
PHYSICS

Thursday, March 16, 2017
BUSINESS STUDIES


Monday, March 20, 2017
MATHEMATICS


Saturday, March 25, 2017
CHEMISTRY APPLIED PHYSICS

Monday, March 27, 2017
COMPUTER SCIENCE

Wednesday, March 29, 2017
ACCOUNTANCY


Friday, March 31, 2017
SCIENCE


Wednesday, April 5, 2017
BIOLOGY

Monday, April 17, 2017
ECONOMICS


Saturday, April 22, 2017
HINDI CORE

Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbse-class-12th-exams-2016-datesheet-released-cbse-nic-in-4466670/

• 11 Jan 2017 | Mumbai | Puja Pednekar puja.pednekar@hindustantimes.com n

Schools divided over awarding extra marks for drawing, dance

Some say it will lead to inflation of marks, those in favour claim it will set good precedent

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra state education department’s decision to award 10 to 25 extra marks in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination to students excelling in drawing, classical and folk art has evoked mixed reactions from educationalists in Mumbai.

While educators lauded the move to extend the additional marks scheme, which was restricted only for students who play sports, to those proficient in fine art, many argued that it will lead to gross inflation of marks in the SSC exams.

School principals across boards, including ICSE, CBSE and international boards, acknowledged it as a ‘progressive move’. They said it will set a good precedent of equality between sportspersons and artists.
“Students pursuing creative arts from a school age deserve to be appreciated, much like those playing sports. They too invest their time and energy to hone their craft,” said Sunita George, principal, Bombay Scottish School, Powai.

Educators said this shows that state board recognises multiple intelligences.

“A child might be weak in academics but is talented in the arts. It will be unfair to judge him only on academics then,” said Father Francis Swamy, principal of St Mary’s School (ICSE), Mazgaon and joint-secretary of the Archdiocesan Board of Education, which runs 150-odd schools in Mumbai.
But they agreed that it will give SSC students an unfair edge over their counterparts unless ICSE, CBSE and international boards adopt similar practices.

“Due to this initiative, more students will receive additional marks than in the past. Admissions will be in the favour of SSC students,” said Rohan Bhat, chairman, Children’s Academy Group of Schools, Kandivli and Malad. “It will be a form of inflation of marks.”

Additionally, since there are no government approved institutions for teaching folk arts, experts warn that the board will need to keep a tight vigil over the certificates submitted by the students to claim the marks.
But education officials allayed fears that the new scheme might lead to excessive increase in the marks of an individual candidate or malpractices.

“The extra marks awarded to each student will not exceed beyond 25 in any circumstance, even if the child is gifted in sports and arts,” said Suvarna Kharat, deputy secretary of the department.


Source: http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Govt looks for expert feedback on its school exam system 

  Fareeha Iftikhar | Wed, 11 Jan 2017-07:30am , DNA

(File Photo)

Delhi government has written to eminent educationists to help them improve the quality of education, assessment and examination system 

 

The letters were sent to the likes of Professor Krishan Kumar, Former Chairperson NCERT, and Abha Adam, Former Principal of a renowned school, among others.

 
Taking a step forward in its efforts to improve the quality of education in schools operating under it, the Delhi government on Tuesday wrote to several eminent educationists, urging them to give feedback on its assessment and examination system.

In a letter addressed to the education experts, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia said: “One area in which our Directorate of Education (DoE) is yet to introduce any reform is the assessment and examination system, which is extremely important as it affects the teaching-learning process in the classroom.”

Enclosing examination papers of Class IV-VIII with the letter, Sisodia asked the educationists to give their feedback on the ability of those papers for affective testing. “We want to promote a culture of innovation and creative thinking in our classrooms. Do you think our pattern of examination is appropriate for this goal? If not, what changes would you suggest?” Sisodia asked.

The letters were sent to the likes of Professor Krishan Kumar, Former Chairperson NCERT, and Abha Adam, Former Principal of a renowned school, among others.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-govt-looks-for-expert-feedback-on-its-school-exam-system-2291298

RTE quota: Pvt schools can't verify income certs

 

Jan 11 2017 : The Times of India (NaviMumbai)

 

Vinamrata Borwankar |  Mumbai:





Private schools that admit students at the entry level under the Right to Education Act will not be allowed to independently verify income certificates issued by the Tehsildar's office, the school education department said on Tuesday while announcing the schedule for the online admission process for 2017-18. The move follows complaints last year about schools using private detectives to conduct background checks on students and their parents.
The online admissions for entry-level seats will begin on January 16 and conclude on April 29, after five rounds of lotteries, according to a government resolution issued by the school education department.As per the GR, schools cannot reject admissions in case of spelling mistakes made by parents in the child's name at the time of filling application forms. Besides, schools have been asked to ensure that those admitted under the quota are not discriminated with in the classrooms and complete at least primary education.
It would be mandatory for eligible schools to register for the online admissions in the stipulated 15 days failing which, education officials can issue a notice recommending de-recognition.


Source: http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/index.aspx?eid=31840&dt=20170111#

  Maharashtra education department wants schools to go digital soon

dna Correspondent | Tue, 10 Jan 2017-07:05am , DNA

 

According to the state education department there are 7.25 lakh teachers in Maharashtra and only 48,611 teachers have declared themselves as tech savvy.

In order to keep up with the trends in the field of education and also to adopt digital teaching the state education department is renaming its education programme as Jalad Pragat Shaikshanik Maharashtra (Fast Foward Maharashtra Educational Program). Earlier, the programme was called as Pragat Shaikshanik Maharashtra (Progressive Educational Maharashtra)

According to the state education department there are 7.25 lakh teachers in Maharashtra and only 48,611 teachers have declared themselves as tech savvy. Government want all those teachers who have declared themselves as tech savvy to take responsibility to make schools digital. The reason behind changing the name of this program is to ensure schools get upgraded and achieve the of becoming digital school soon. Education department wants schools to either buy interactive boards or projectors. Since every person has a mobile phone, the government feels that no teacher should say that they are not tech savvy. They want schools to provide every student a tablet which are easily available.

Prashant Redij, Secretary Mumbai Principal Association, said, "In Mumbai almost 90% schools are digital with projector, interactive boards in schools and classrooms. But in rural area where there are no such equipments we feel that the local representatives like corporator, MLA, MPs should help schools from their funds to bring technology in schools."

Rahul Suvarna, Senior Advocacy, Masoom NGO, said, "More then getting technology in schools it is important that the schools staff is trained to handle those equipments and maintain these technical equipments. Because in 50 per cent of schools when computers were brought for Information Communication and Technology (ICT) subjects they were not maintained by schools. Schools can take help of corporate companies that do CSR activities to bring those technology to digitise their classrooms if they cannot afford to buy those technical equipments."

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report-maharashtra-education-department-wants-schools-to-go-digital-soon-2290886

CBSE computer science syllabus may be rejigged

TNN | Jan 8, 2017, 10.21 AM IST

Representative image.

KOCHI: In an attempt to revamp computer education in schools, the CBSE is planning to implement CSpathashala, an alternative computer science syllabus for the new academic year. Under the new programme, the focus will be more on computing solutions rather than on technological skills.

"When the education is centred around computing solutions, the students will learn how MS Excel does its calculations, rather than memorising how to make MS Excel perform these calculations without any clear understanding," said Premlata Shaji, a member of the CBSE computer science expert group. Over 85 teachers from schools across Kochi had come to attend a workshop, which introduced the new teaching model. CBSE schools in Kochi now have the option to opt between the regular computer course, which is currently being offered at schools or the course modelled by CSpathashala.

CSpathashala was mooted by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) India (a non-profit organisation of technological professionals) in order to inculcate problem-solving skills in school children.

Vipul Shah, head of ACM India's CSpathshala initiative said that teaching computing as a collection of "facts and jargon" is irrelevant and that students must be taught to ask the right questions.

"Computer science, as a school subject, is gaining more relevance. Some engineering colleges are now looking at the marks scored by students in mathematics, physics and chemistry or computer science as opposed to chemistry alone," added Premlata Shaji.

"Several different computing languages are taught in schools, like C++ and Java. But all these different languages have something in common, the problem-solving skill that is applied to them, such as step-wise thinking and decision making. This will be the primary focus of CSpathshala," she said.

Some of the teachers present at the event expressed apprehensions over the syllabus change. "I understand that this is a much-needed change but I am not sure if the children will be able to understand the subject," said Pradeep Balakrishnan, a computer science teacher at the Cochin Refineries School.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/cbse-computer-science-syllabus-may-be-rejigged/articleshow/56399107.cms

• 7 Jan 2017 | Mumbai | Shreya Bhandary shreya.bhandary@hindustantimes.com

NEET in 8 languages, but study material available only in two

Despite several reminders, state education ministry hasn’t aided students, say parents

MUMBAI: Even as medical and dental aspirants across the country are demanding the right to appear for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2017 in regional languages, experts have pointed out that study material for the exam is available only in English and Hindi.

The Union health ministry has made it clear that NEET 2017 will be held in eight languages — English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese and Bengali — but books included in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus— considered study material for medical aspirants — are not available in any of these languages.

“More and more students from across the country are fighting for their right to appear for the exam in a regional language but they are forgetting that study material is only available in two languages. The government seems to be playing with students’ emotions,” said Arun Mehta, a parent.
Last year, a Supreme Court order made it clear that any entrance exam held nationally should be conducted in regional languages so that all students can benefit.

The circular stating NEET would be held in eight languages came from the Union health ministry in December.

Soon after, members of Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) objected as NEET will not be held in Urdu.

Earlier this week, state minister for health and family welfare Girish Mahajan wrote to Union health minister J P Nadda, stating that more than 11,000 students from Maharashtra appear for HSC exams in Urdu and deserve an equal opportunity to bag a medical seat.

“Just holding an exam in regional languages serves no purpose unless textbooks are made available in the same languages. Sadly, the Maharashtra government only spoke about making study material available in Marathi, but nothing has changed yet,” said a parent.

Many were unhappy that despite the state education ministry being reminded several times to aid medical aspirants from the state, it has not done so.

“Amid all the confusion about medical entrance tests and admissions in 2016, we had highlighted the need for study material as per NCERT books to benefit future batches. One year later, neither has the government upgraded the state board syllabus to match CBSE standards, nor made NCERT books available in regional languages,” said the proprietor of a city-based coaching institute.

As of now, parents are unclear about the syllabus for the NEET 2017 examinations as the CBSE is yet to give make an announcement regarding this.

“Until then, our children have no choice but to study two different syllabi, one for the Class 12 exam and another for NEET,” added a parent.

Source: http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

CBSE extends deadline for 'mandatory disclosure' till January 20

TNN | Updated: Jan 7, 2017, 01.00 PM IST

INDORE: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has extended its deadline for mandatory online disclosure of school details for the third time till January 20.

More than 110 CBSE schools in Indore district were expected to submit the mandatory disclosure by December 15 earlier. Of them, around eight schools are yet to submit their mandatory disclosure. CBSE has named the online disclosure as Online Affiliated School Information System.

Releasing the circular about the final deadline for the mandatory disclosure, CBSE deputy secretary (affiliation) said "In view of the representation received from several stakeholders, the competent authority of the board as a measure of last opportunity has approved extension of date for filling the information from December 23, 2016 to January 20, 2017."

However, this time the board has given warning to the schools not meeting the deadlines that the link will not be available for submission after January 20. Such schools will also be penalised with a fine of Rs50,000.

"CBSE has given the final deadline now and the school not complying with the deadline will have to pay the penalty. However most of the schools have submitted their details from the city," said Jaydeb Kar, CBSE helpline member from the state.

The board has also sought information about the sexual harassment committee and its members under OASIS. Apart from it, OASIS also sought information about schools and the vicinity where they are located.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/cbse-extends-deadline-for-mandatory-disclosure-till-january-20/articleshow/56388510.cms

The candidates who are appearing for Class 10 & 12 board exams can download the sample papers from below:

CLASS - X
Link : http://cbseacademic.in/SQP_CLASSXII_2016_17.html
 
CLASS - XII
Link : http://cbseacademic.in/SQP_CLASSX_2016_17.html

CLASS 10 AND 12 CBSE EXAMS WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 9

The CBSE announced its board examination dates on Monday. The Class 10 board exams will be held from March 9 to April 10. The Class 12 exams will start on March 9 and end on April 29. 

CBSE exams delayed by a week

 The Class 10 and Class 12 exams of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will begin on March 9 this year, postponed by a week owing to Assembly polls in several states.

This will delay the new academic session, which begins on April 1 in Mumbai schools, by a couple of weeks. Around 10 lakh to 16 lakh students will appear for the Class 10 exams and Class 12 across India.
The board announced on Monday the exams were deferred on account of elections in five states. Now, Class 10 exams will end on April 10 and Class 12 on April 29.

“The board has given careful consideration to the situation before postponing exams by a week. This will allow students to get more time for preparation and ensure uninterrupted sequence of exams,” read the statement released by Rama Sharma, CBSE public relations officer.

The move, however, will affect the start of the academic year — after exams, schools hold classes at least for a month, before closing for the summer break.
With the Class 10 exams spilling over into April, schools will have to defer beginning the new session, said principals.

Some schools might have to postpone lectures for Class 11, while those acting as exam centres will need to push back all classes.

“Exam centres will be occupied till April 29, which is the last day for Class 12 exams. So they won’t be able to hold classes for the entire month,” said Avnita Bir, principal, RN Podar School, Santacruz.
The elections have delayed other board exams too — ICSE, ISC exams were also rescheduled after the election commission announced poll dates last week.

Source: 10 Jan 2017 | Mumbai |Puja Pednekar puja.pednekar@hindustantimes.com

(http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx)