73% of Class X students in Delhi govt schools opt for basic maths

73% of Class X students in Delhi govt schools opt for basic maths

Just about 33% of the approximately 18 lakh students who have registered for the examination across India and abroad have chosen basic mathematics.

Written by Sukrita Baruah | New Delhi | Updated: December 11, 2019 6:44:06 am

ALMOST 73% of Delhi government school students have decided to make their lives easier during the 2020 Class X board examinations by opting for the basic mathematics paper, a new option introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) which will be a simpler test than the standard mathematics paper.

In contrast, just about 33% of the approximately 18 lakh students who have registered for the examination across India and abroad have chosen basic mathematics.

However, these numbers cannot be seen in isolation. While all the 1,030 schools run by the Delhi government are affiliated to the central board, most state government schools in other states are affiliated to their respective state boards. In these states, most schools affiliated to CBSE are private schools.

In January, the CBSE had announced the basic mathematics option with the stated objective of offering an element of choice to students who don’t want to study mathematics after Class X, and thus reducing exam-related stress. The current Class X batch is the first to benefit. Students who choose the basic option will not be allowed to choose mathematics as a subject in Class XI and XII. However, if they change their mind after the exam, they will be given the option of writing the standard mathematics paper during the compartment examination.

According to data collated by the Delhi government from almost 1, 000 schools, while 41,386 students have opted for standard mathematics, an overwhelming 1,11,001 students have opted for basic mathematics. This means that 72.84% of the children have decided to opt for basic mathematics.

The Indian Express had earlier reported how the Delhi government is focussing on mathematics this year, as the overall Class X pass percentage of its schools is being dragged down because of the large number of students who fail the subject. Of the 1,66,167 students who appeared for the 2019 board examinations, 24,502 had failed in only one subject — mathematics.

Earlier this year, the government had sent out a directive to all its schools saying that “students who are low performers in mathematics (should) be counselled to opt for basic and not standard mathematics”.

The CBSE’s initiative enables students to either opt for basic mathematics or standard mathematics at the time that schools prepare their final list of candidates for the Class X board exam. While the syllabus will be common, the basic mathematics examination will be easier.

“The questions in the standard paper will require more application, analysis and conceptual understanding. The basic paper will be oriented more towards understanding and will require less high order thinking skills,” Joseph Emmanuel, Director (Examination), CBSE, had told The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, according to a senior CBSE official, an average of one in three children have opted for basic mathematics in the over 19,000 secondary level schools affiliated to the board across the country and abroad.

“Of the approximately 18 lakh students who have registered for the examination, over 11 lakh have opted for standard mathematics while over 6 lakh have opted for basic mathematics. This is the first time that it has been introduced and different stakeholders may not have full clarity on it. I think in the coming years, we will see more students opt for it,” the official said.

The principal of a Delhi government school pointed out that “Delhi government schools are the only ‘open for all’ schools which are affiliated to the CBSE. Other government schools under CBSE, such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, are also exclusive. These are schools where we are struggling to make Class VI, VII and VIII students read their textbooks through learning interventions. How will they be able to do Class IX mathematics? Getting a larger number of students to pass mathematics by teaching them how to score the requisite 33% is completely different from making them confident about the subject and want to take it up in Class XI and XII.”

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/

Educational gaming app STEPapp launched

Educational gaming app STEPapp launched

By: Express News Service | Mumbai | Published: December 14, 2019 8:20:49 am

Apart from allowing students to play and learn, Student Talent Enhancement Programme (STEP) will offer scholarships ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 crore. The app works on the most basic smartphone with minimal data requirement.

Deemed a first-of-its-kind educational gaming app, STEPapp was launched recently with the purpose of building Math and Science proficiency in students from kindergarten to standard 12.

Apart from allowing students to play and learn, Student Talent Enhancement Programme (STEP) will offer scholarships ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 crore. The app works on the most basic smartphone with minimal data requirement.

MD, PACE IIT and Founder CEO, Eduisfun Technologies Praveen Tyagi said, “Board syllabus is mapped to the curriculum of school boards such as ICSE and CBSE. Students can get conceptual clarity in a fun way and their speed and accuracy is gauged. Parents and teachers get detailed reports of the students’ progress, strengths and weaknesses via sms-email on a real time basis.” The app was unveiled in Mumbai by actor Amitabh Bachchan recently, who told students, “Apna kal khud banao (Make your own future).”

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/

CBSE schools have introduced artificial intelligence as a subject in class IX

CBSE schools have introduced artificial intelligence as a subject in class IX: HRD Minister

CBSE has formed collaboration with technology giants such as Intel, IBM, and Microsoft to introduced artificial intelligence as a subject in schools

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been introduced as a subject in classes VIII, IX and X from the session 2019 to 2020 in CBSE schools, said the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD), Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 5 December 2019.

The initiative has been undertaken in schools affiliated with Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in order to enhance the multidisciplinary approach in teaching-learning and to sensitize the new generation, according to a PIB release.

While AI has been introduced as a subject for class IX students, a twelve hours ‘Inspire’ module on artificial intelligence has also been announced, which schools can take up with the students of class VIII. The study material for teaching artificial intelligence in classes VIII and IX has already been provided to schools through the official CBSE website.

CBSE has collaborated with several organizations such as Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Private Schools, and so on. As part of the collaboration formed with Microsoft, 1000 teachers nominated by CBSE underwent a 3-day project-based training for practical, hands-on knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools such as OneNote, Flipgrid, Teams, Outlook and Minecraft, and Paint3D Microsoft.

They were also trained on digital storytelling; creation of personalized learning experiences for diverse learners; the use of Teams for virtual lessons and how to leverage artificial intelligence tools to create BOTS and demystify concepts around artificial intelligence.

So far, 41 training programmes on artificial intelligence have also been conducted in schools affiliated with CBSE across various places in the country in which 1690 participants (principals and teachers) have been trained.

Nevertheless, the decision to introduce Artificial Intelligence in the States and UTs will have to be taken by the respective Boards. Having knowledge in artificial intelligence has become almost imperative in current times as the technology has become all-pervasive, and has also transformed organizations across sectors.

Source : https://www.dqindia.com/cbse-schools-introduced-artificial-intelligence-subject-class-ix-hrd-minister/

CBSE schools take up fitness challenge for 5-star tag

TNN | Updated: Dec 9, 2019

Indore: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will now give Fit India School rating to its affiliated schools to integrate fitness as an essential part of school education. City schools will have to apply before December 31.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has prepared a system of Fit India School rating with certain parameters. The rating is divided into different levels depending on how much importance the school gives for inculcating fitness among its students and teachers in addition to the facilities available for fitness-related activities.

“Several initiatives have been taken to encourage students as well as schools to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives and daily routine. While CBSE schools have already been participating in Fit India School Week, this rating will further be motivational for the schools to continue with such sports activities,” said CBSE helpline counsellor, Jaydeb Kar told

The school will be eligible to get the rating if the school students spend minimum 60 minutes or more on physical activities daily, he added.

Any school that consists of a teacher trained in physical education, a playground where two or more outdoor games can be played, a physical education period each day for every class and other physical activities apart from sports such as dance, games, yoga etc. during the class will qualify for the rating.

However, for schools that want a three-star rating will have to ensure that all their teachers are physically fit and spend at least 60 minutes each day in physical activities. The school consists of at least two trained physical education teachers that are well versed with at least two sports.

The school should also have facilities for four sports including the two outdoor sports and each student learns and plays two sports – one of which could be a traditional or a local game.

Read more at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow

‘CBSE can make changes to names in mark statements’

Legal Correspondent CHENNAI , DECEMBER 08, 2019

Board can obtain indemnity affidavits beforehand: HC

The Madras High Court has clarified that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) can make changes to the names of students and their parents in the Class X and XII mark statements after obtaining affidavits of indemnity against the use of new certificates for impersonation to escape from any civil or criminal activity.

First Division Bench of Chief Justice Amreshwar Pratap Sahi and Justice Subramonium Prasad provided the clarification while disposing of a writ appeal preferred by the CBSE against a single judge’s order to change the name of a student’s father as Shaik Fazul Rahiman instead of Fazal Rehmaan in his Class X mark statement. “On the other hand, we find that if correction has been genuinely and bona fide sought and no prejudice is caused, then in that event the conclusion arrived at by the learned single judge cannot be said to suffer from any infirmity. We dispose of the appeal with the said observations and without interfering with the directions of the learned single judge,” the Bench said.

The appeal had been preferred against the order passed by Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana on April 25 this year. The judge had set aside an order passed by the CBSE on January 1 refusing to make changes to the name of the student’s father and said that adding of the word “Shaik” would not cause any prejudice or loss to the board. A few other judges of the court had passed similar orders. Justice G. Jayachandran in August held that those who get their names changed by issuing newspaper advertisements and recording the same in the government gazette were entitled to get the change reflected in their old mark statements issued by the CBSE. The judge was of the view that refusal by the CBSE to incorporate the change of names in the mark statements might lead to confusion in identifying the individuals concerned since one set of their documents would be carrying the new name whereas others might have the old names imprinted on them.

That order was passed while allowing a writ petition filed by Raana Cariappa Kalianda, represented by his father Kalianda Chengappa Poovaiah, who had challenged a communication received by him from the CBSE on May 10 refusing to make changes to his old name Kalianda Ved Cariappa found in the Class X mark statement.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cbse-can-make-changes-to-names-in-mark-statements/article30233553.ece

CBSE Class 10th, 12th exam pattern, marking scheme, passing marks

CBSE Class 10th, 12th exam pattern, marking scheme, passing marks

From introducing two-level maths to a lesser number of questions, here are some recent initiatives taken by the CBSE to make board exams 2020 stress-free for students.

By Education Desk |New Delhi |Updated: December 3, 2019 5:50:54 pm

CBSE class 10, 12 Board 2020: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will make significant changes in class 10 and class 12 board exams from this year onwards, the Parliament was informed on Monday. Answering a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) said the ‘Board has taken many measures to make students stress-free‘.

CBSE, informed the HRD minister, provides pre and post examination tele counselling facilities through the centralised toll-free helpline. Students can also log on to http://www.cbse.nic.in and interact on exam related issues. The Board has published material on how to be stress-free and various techniques to avoid anxiety.

1. Changes in question paper: Students will get an additional 15 minutes for reading the question paper before they begin to write the answers. The question paper will also have 33 per cent options and more questions on higher-order thinking skills in comparison to questions based on rote memorisation. This, said Pokhriyal, will ensure a shift from content-based testing to problem-solving and competency-based testing.

In video| How much will class 10, 12 students pay for CBSe board exams this year?

2. Internal assessment: Instead of being of 100 marks, the theory exams will be for 80 marks. Internal assessment will amount to 20 marks in total in subjects where there is no practical assessment. While for those having practical exams, the marks allotted to the theory were already lesser. This has also changed the passing marks criteria of the board, subsequently. The CBSE has already released the practical examination schedule.

3. Lesser number of questions: To ensure that students do not find the paper to be too lengthy to complete in the stipulated time of three hours, the board has also reduced the number of questions. CBSE has also provided internal choices for students in at least 33 per cent questions in all major subjects, the Lok Sabha was informed.

4. Change in marking scheme: The Board will give priority to creative, correct and relevant answers given by students other than the ones mentioned in the marking scheme. This has been done to encourage students to have better conceptual understanding and to be able to overcome issues related to rote-learning and rote-evaluation, the minister said.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/express-plus/subscription-plan/

Can CBSE's Aryabhatta Ganit Challenge make Math a fun learning experience

Rajlakshmi Ghosh| TNN | Dec 2, 2019, 15:59 IST

The CBSE Aryabhatta Ganit Challenge held in two stages aimed to remove the phobia surrounding Math and make it stress-free For the CBSE class VIII-X students who had appeared for the Aryabhatta Ganit Challenge, the exam came as a pleasant surprise. To begin with, there was not much requirement for prior preparation. Secondly, it was not a part of the school curriculum. But then, that was the whole point of the exercise.

"The Challenge helped identify the mathematical skills of the students without any set curriculum or advance preparation which made the exam stress-free. The students were tested on their knowledge of basic math concepts, logical ability and basic understanding and application of Math in daily life," says Rahul Sofat, CBSE Teachers Award winner in Mathematics (2019-20) and lecturer, Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, Subroto Park, New Delhi.

With India slated to participate in PISA 2021, the Ganit Challenge, says Sofat, has been introduced at the right time, to hone students' acumen in the subject. The challenge was meant to be a joyful assessment process as per the CBSE circular while stressing on the need for "students to be able to reflect upon mathematical solutions, results or conclusions and interpret them in the context of the real-life problems".

"The initiative is a good start to sensitise the students and the teachers towards the concept of 'learning by doing' which should be a continuous process. Often, students without understanding the basic mathematical concepts, mug up the sums. Such exams will help develop a natural affinity towards Math and take the fear out of learning," Sofat adds.

"Post the challenge, the Board will be able to streamline the Math syllabus at different levels through feedback from the exams and set question papers accordingly," says Shriram Tanwar, Math teacher at DAV School in Faridabad. He also feels the NCERT Math books should take a cue from the challenge and have more questions based on day to day life to increase students' Math proficiency and engage their interest. Tanwar however says that a single uniform test like the challenge may not be the best way to test students' Math aptitude. "Every exam should be level-specific for a fair assessment of students' skills and talent."

Read more at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/72331819.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy: 9 points to score above 95 in board exam 2020

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Exam 2020: Here are 9 important tips for class 12 students to score above 95 in CBSE Accountancy Exam 2020.

Harshita Pathak | New Delhi | December 2, 2019

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Exam 2020: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to conduct Class 12 board exams 2020 for main subjects from the month of March. Accountancy is one of the main subjects for the commerce stream students and it becomes a scoring one if a student is clear with the concepts and the formulas.

India Today got talking to highly experienced Board examiner Dr Pramendra Sharma, an NCERT resource person and a senior Accountancy teacher at DPS Bulandshahr, with over 24 years of teaching experience and fourteen years of board examiner experience. He gave some important tips for the students to score above 95 marks in CBSE 2020 Class 12 Accountancy paper.

"It is the right time for students to pull up their socks for CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2020 preparation. So, it is advised for commerce students to ramp up their level of preparation," said Pramendra Sharma.

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy: Here are some of the must do's for students:

1. Students should attempt at least 10 sample question papers in Accountancy and Business Studies each.

2. Students must keep a proper time-watch as per the board standards. It should be around 2 minutes for 1 mark question and multiply accordingly based on the number of marks a question offers.

3. Students should be careful and vigil about the formats of different questions like debit and credit column, and liability and asset and proper heading/title of the accounts and statements.

4. Students are required to present working notes very neatly near the solution because working notes have a separate provision for marks.

5. One more important advice for students is to read the question very carefully and present the answer to the point. Writing extra will not be awarding and only leads to the wastage of time. For instance, if question demands only capital account then there is no use of preparing the balance sheet simultaneously, or if the journal entries are asked then do not prepare the ledger account and balance sheet.

6. Strictly avoid overwriting and cutting in the fair work. If needed, strike out the faulty work in a single go and plan to start the whole answer fresh.

7. A commerce student specifically should have good command in calculations that comes through practice. This not only saves time but also assures the correctness of the answer.

8. Order of all parts of a question is important and the answer should be attempted in that order only and all in one place. For instance, a revaluation account, partners' capital and balance sheet of a question should be done in order and one place only.

9. To conclude the talk with one suggestion which is often overlooked is to keep your cool before the exam. Design and plan your answers during the reading time of question paper which can save you a lot of time.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/tips-and-tricks/story/cbse-class-12-accountancy-9-points-to-score-above-95-in-board-exam-2020-1624325-2019-12-02

CBSE to Introduce Changes In Class X, XII Exam

CBSE to Introduce Changes In Class X, XII Exam From 2019-20 Session

The changes will be effected for class X and XII exams which will be held in 2020.

03 December, 2019 by BW Online Bureau

Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Monday said that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced changes in the examination pattern for class X and XII from 2019-20 session to discourage rote learning and to develop critical thinking and reasoning abilities of students.

Among the measures introduced to effect this change are - reduction in the number of questions, more internal choices, increase in the number of objective type questions and reduction in subjective questions and introduction of internal assessment in all subjects.

"The internal choices will be implemented on 33 per cent of the questions for the students. The one-mark objective type questions will be around 25 per cent of the questions in all subjects. Internal assessment will count for 20 per cent marks in subjects in which there is no practical assessment," the Minister stated.

The changes will be effected for class X and XII exams which will be held in 2020.

Source : http://bweducation.businessworld.in/article/CBSE-To-Introduce-Changes-In-Class-X-XII-Exam-From-2019-20-Session/03-12-2019-179758/

CBSE plans major changes in question paper patterns

CBSE plans major changes in question paper patterns for class X and XII board exams

 Revision The new policy aims at bridging the gap between vocational and main subjects

 04/12/2019 | PTI | letters@hindustantimes.com

NEW DELHI : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would introduce major changes in the pattern of question papers for class X and XII by 2023 to boost creative, critical and analytical thinking among students.

It is the need of the hour keeping in mind country’s future, CBSE Secretary Anurag Tripathi said at the school education summit organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

He said, “While this year students of Class X will get 20% objective questions and 10% questions would be based on creative thinking, by 2023 question papers for classes X and XII will be based on creative, innovative and critical thinking.”

Vocational subjects do not find many takers in India due to factors like lack of employability, poor value and absence of stability in the market, he said. “There is also a need to promote proper linkages and bonding among key stakeholders in the schooling system including infrastructure, teachers, parents and students,” he added.

He suggested that schools must devote more time to teachers who need to be trained rigorously and be groomed for three to six months to become mentors, highly motivated communicator, expressive, have critical thinking and emotional balance. Talking about the new education policy, he said it aims at bridging the gap between vocational and main subjects.

“The new policy has recommended that vocational subjects need to be a part of the five subjects, it would be a good move. The NEP also focuses on different aspects like early childhood care, teacher training, promoting vocational education and thus, it would be a challenge to implement the same,” he said. His views were echoed by CBSE Director (Training and Skill Education) Biswajit Saha who said that schools in India need to focus on students’ capability and not employability, implement adaptive and project-based learning and follow children-centric methodology in the classroom.

“The flexibility in the system should be adapted in the curriculum transaction process to keep students’ mindset and what they need in mind. With respect to the common curriculum, whatever subjects are being offered, the room is very much there to introduce activity-based curriculum.

“If we want to really upgrade the system, then competency-based education needs to be implemented in the school systems which requires strong connect with the child,” he said.

Young students can shape up their career orientation only when they are not loaded with content-based curriculum. The flexibility in the system should be adapted by the school curriculum and the focus needs to be on activity based skill formation of students, he added.

Source : https://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=4d006257