An escape from mathematics

J&K Board of School Education deserves a sincere praise for its thoughtful proposal to introduce ‘two levels of mathematics (basic and standard) for class 10th. The initiative comes under the guidelines of National Education Policy, 2020.

For those who are not aware about this proposal, here is the detail: As per the proposal there shall be a single examination comprising two levels of mathematics, basic and standard, in the 10th class. The students shall be given an option to choose either.

As per the proposal the difficult level of mathematics-standard exam shall be the same as the existing exam and the mathematics-basic question paper will be easier in comparison.

The idea behind introducing the two levels or two question papers of varied standard is that the students who do not study mathematics after class 10th need not be tested for the standard skills. The standard level rather will be meant for the students, who wish to opt for mathematics at senior secondary level. On the other hand, the basic level would be for students not keen to pursue mathematics at higher secondary level.

Mind it, the syllabus, classroom teaching and internal assessment methods for both the levels will remain same to allow students to study a range of topics and then decide upon the level for which they wish to appear during the board examination, the proposal reads.

Students who opt for mathematics standard and fail in the exam will be allowed to appear in the bi-annul exam for mathematics basic or mathematics standard. Secondly, in case a student opts for mathematics-basic and passes in the exam but changes his/her mind later and wishes to pursue mathematics at higher level, they will be allowed to appear for mathematics standard compartment exam.

In order to generate informed opinion regarding the implementation of the scheme, the board has asked all the stakeholders including civil society, academicians, parents, scholars, students, etc. to mail their views within ten days from 28.11.2025 at directoracad@jkbose.co.in.

So far so good. Now that the ball is the court of general public, people, particularly the real stakeholders – students and their parents—need to wholeheartedly express their opinion on this policy initiative that understandably will have a vital impact on the academic career of the student community in J&K. It is no secret that due to our half-baked policies in education sector, students allergic to mathematics – or for that matter to any other subject—are perforce made to read those very subjects for want of a comprehensive subject collection module.

It is common knowledge that a large number of students not interested in mathematics, even though are clear about their decision to pursue their senior secondary-level academic career in subjects other than mathematics, are yet required to pass the mathematics at the 10th level just for the heck of it. This faulty education system that binds a student into a sort of ‘imposed’ subject choice template, has every potential to demotivate a good number of students leading to enhancing the dropout graph in the schools.

Thanks to National Education Policy 2020, which has supposedly for the first time realised serious flaw in the education system and suggested a remedial measure.

The civil society including the students and the parents need to take a call on this issue and express their opinion to the board notification. This suggestion really represents the wishes of majority students in Kashmir and perhaps in other parts of the country as well. If this system is adopted by the board, it will greatly help reduce stress levels and depression in our students.