Prakash Javadekar, Union HRD minister has announced that from
the 2017-18 academic year, the government will reintroduce compulsory class X
board examination for CBSE schools.
This decision to re-introduce class X board examination was
revealed to the reporters in an informal conversation post a meeting with the
Rajasthan Education Minister.
The HRD MinisterJavadekar also stated that state governments will be given the authority
to reintroduce class V and VIII board examinations, and a proposal for the same
will be tabled first in the Cabinet, followed by its discussion in the Parliament.
"The decision to conduct class V and VIII board examinations will be left
with the state," declared Javadekar.
He said that the HRD Ministry was mainly concerned about improving the quality
of school education, of government schools in particular.
Mr. Javadekar also praised the initiatives taken in school education sector by Rajasthan,
which was earlier referred to as a ‘BIMARU’ state. Javadekar highlighted how
the quality of education in the government schools of the state had seen a
great deal of improvement.
He also revealed that after the opening of Utkarsh Adarsh schools at panchayat
level, enrolment in government schools in Rajasthan has gone up by 15 lakh.
He also emphasized on how the Narendra Modi-led government is striving towards
enhancing academic standards and wants students to develop critical thinking
skills along with education.
When questioned about cases of suicide by several students undergoing
preparation for IITJEE at coaching institutes of Kota, Javadekar replied that a
free website IIT-PAL will be introduced for students. This website will enable
students to access facilities like guidance by experts, study material, and
discussion options, and that too free of cost.