JKBOSE mulls two-tier mathematics papers for Class 10 examination

Srinagar, Nov 28: In a latest development, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) is mulling to introduce two question papers - Basic and Standard in Mathematics for class 10th students.

The new scheme is likely to be implemented from the next examination session of the students.

A notification in this regard has been issued by the Director Academics of the JKBOSE, in which the Board has sought the public opinion in this regard as well.

"Pursuant to the guidelines of National Education Policy (NEP)- 2020, JKBOSE intends to implement a mechanism for offering two-level Mathematics-Basics and Standard for the class 10th students," the JKBOSE notification reads.

The move is aimed at making Board exams less stressful and to optimise the assessment as per the future academic interest for the students desirous to pursue Mathematics at the Higher Secondary level.

"There shall be a single examination comprising two levels of mathematics-Basic and Standard. The students shall have an option to choose any one level," the notice reads.

It reads that the difficulty level of the Mathematics Standard exam shall be the same as the existing exam, and the Mathematics Basic question papers will be easier in comparison to it.

"The idea behind introducing the two question papers of varied difficulty is that students who do not study or who wish to opt for Mathematics at the senior secondary level and the Basic level would be for the students not keen to pursue Mathematics at the higher secondary level," the notification reads.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Secretary JKBOSE Ghulam Hassan Sheikh said the scheme will be implemented from the next session of the exams.

"The idea of this scheme is to assess the performance of the students and their interest in the subject. Everybody does not want to opt for Mathematics after class 10th exams, so for such students we will frame a simple question paper," he told Greater Kashmir.

Meanwhile, as per the JKBOSE notice, the syllabus, classroom teachings and the internal assessment methods for both the levels will remain the same to allow students to study a range of topics and then decide upon the level for which they wish to appear during the BOSE exams.

"Students who opt for Mathematics Standard and fail in the exam will be allowed to appear in the Bi-Annual exams for the Mathematics Basics or Mathematics Standard, as per the choice of the students," it reads.

The students who opt for Mathematics Basic and pass the exam but change their decision later and wish to pursue mathematics at HSS, they will be allowed to appear for mathematics-Standards component exam.

"To generate informed opinion regarding the implementation of the scheme, all stakeholders, including civil society, academicians, parents and students are requested to mail their views within 10 days to directoracademic@jkbose.co.in," the notice reads.

As already reported by Greater Kashmir, a concern was raised in 2018 over the alarming rate of school dropouts.

It was observed in the department that students, mostly girls, drop out after class 8th exams because of mathematics.

Following this, a committee was constituted which was entrusted to prescribe two books of mathematics-basic and standard.

Basic mathematics was supposed to be opted for by those who do not aspire to take up science after qualifying class 10th exams, and the standard mathematics book was for those taking up the science stream after class 10th.

However, the committee did not come to any logical conclusion, and the number of school dropouts started swelling up.

Now the scheme introduced by JKBOSE is expected to provide a choice to the students as per their will.