In the midst of a growing controversy around CBSE’s On-Screen Marking, Aparajita Gautam from the Delhi Parents Association has come forward to reveal some
startling truths about the digital evaluation that debuted this year. In a conversation with a news agency, she alleged that the answer scripts were supposed to be assessed by Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs), but due to a crunch, Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs), who are qualified to teach up to Class 10, were asked to step in, resulting in subpar scores. She also said that the training was hurried, with no follow-ups. Teachers had to sign in and practise with sample papers, without anyone monitoring whether they actually did. Weighing in on the whole controversy, which put the students and their parents in a precarious situation, she said to a news agency, “After the Class 12 board exams and CBSE results, their future is decided. Because of shortcomings in OSM (On-Screen Marking), many parents and children are disappointed. Students don’t just prepare in Class 12; they’ve been working for years, knowing their future depends on it.” Aparajita also talked about the emotional collapse of students who had appeared for high-stakes entrance examinations like JEE and NEET. “Due to OSM, many didn’t achieve the required marks,” she said, adding that they are now questioning why OSM was introduced abruptly without a proper dry run. Students have been raising their concerns through social media. “If you check CBSE’s Facebook page, you’ll see countless complaints.” As many as 6.5 lakh students have officially raised objections against the digital evaluation, “but I believe the number should be far higher," she remarked. For marks verification and re-evaluation, one needs a laptop and a good internet connection. However, of the 18 lakh students, 12 lakh belong to government schools, many in rural areas. “If metro city students with laptops struggled, imagine the difficulties faced by rural children with limited access,” she added. (With inputs from ANI) Also Check | CBSE Blocks 3.8 Million-Packet Cyberattack During Re-evaluation Process
