CBSE Results

"Close to 21 per students have failed in Mathematics followed by 19 per cent failing in English. It shows students are scared of both the subjects," says the Chairman of CBSE. The statement is in bad taste, coming from an institution which, at least in name, means to promote, "...Innovations in teaching learning methodologies by devising student friendly and student centered paradigms".

I always thought that the CBSE exams were a lottery. It probably is, and what makes it worse are the ill-founded marking schemes, which I have covered here.

...Q) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever
necessary. 5 Marks
...The question also opens a few existential dilemmas. Especially the 'recognizable (by whom?) abbreviations wherever necessary (who will decide?)' part...

A) "Title - Developing Resistance to Suggestion
1. Resistance to suggestion can be built upon in two ways
(a) Childr. rely on themselves
(b) Not on external stimulatn.
(c) Ext. stimulatn.
(i) bad for character
(ii) propagandists use it
(iii) dictators use it
(iv) gets addictive
(v) dep. on spiritual help
2. How sh. childr. be taught to rely on themselves.
(a) self entertainment
(b) musical instruments
(c) scientific observation
3. Ed. not to take the line of least defence
(a) critically analyses
(b) react to suggestions right way - right time"

...If you go past the lack of any structure, thought or linkages between sentences or indeed between points and sub-points, you will notice recognisable abbreviations -
'Sh.' instead of should, while other verbs do not get mangled. Stimulation shortened to 'Stimulatn.' to aid in quick note-taking, while suggestions and observation stay the same to aid in understanding...

Come to think of it, students are probably right in being scared.