Decision on grading is optional : MP, Goa

Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Kapil Sibal informed Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. in the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that State Education Boards have to decide on their own about the grading system at secondary level for class X Board Examination.

He informed Mr Naik that Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) has decided to introduce the grading system at secondary level for class X Board Examination, 2010, and also for continuous and comprehensive evaluation for class IX from the academic session 2009-10. CBSE is empowered to take such a decision.

National Policy on Education, 1986 (as revised in 1992) suggests that grades be used in place of marks. The National Seminar on Scaling and Grading organized by NCERT in July 1987, the Conference of Councils of Boards of Secondary Education held at Mysore in 1988, and the Conference of the Chairman and Secretaries of the Boards of School Education organized by NCERT in August, 1990 had also recommended use of grading system.

National Curriculum Framework, 2005 mentions use of Grading system that it is also in consonance with the best international practices, Minister informed Mr Naik

Minister further said that Grading System will minimize misclassification of students on the basis of unreliable marks, it will eliminate unhealthy competition among high achievers and will reduce societal pressure and will provide the learner with more flexibility.

Minister further informed Mr Naik that Grading System leads to a focus on a better learning environment and prevents lowering of self-esteem of the child.