Timetable for HSC changed

Shreya Bhandary TNN 

 

Mumbai: Following demands from HSC science students and teachers across Maharashtra, the state board has announced a change in the timetable of the Class-XII exams that will start on February 21. 
    The dates for chemistry and biology papers have been changed after students and teachers pointed out that more time was needed to study the subjects’ revised syllabuses. “Keeping with the CBSE curriculum, our syllabuses have been upgraded but the courses have become more difficult than CBSE papers. Moreover, while CBSE has given their students four days to prepare for every paper, we were slotted only one day,” said Rishikesh Mhatre, a student of Ruparel College. After students across the state wrote to the education minister, a debate was held at Mantralaya on Thursday and the new timetable was announced. 
    The HSC chemistry paper, which was slated for February 27, will now be held on March 26. The Biology paper has been postponed from March 4 to 17. One of the two new dates is kept on a Sunday so that it does not clash with any other board exams. The HSC results will be announced before June 5. Students can visitwww.msbshse.ac.in to check the changed timetable. 
    Confirming the demands, Krishnarao Patil, in-charge secretary, state board, said, “The new syllabuses were framed based on National Curriculum Framework. Following students’ and teachers’ demand, the state took a decision on Thursday,” said Patil. 
    Professors have also threatened to boycott the exams if two more of their demands are not fulfilled. “The state upgraded the syllabus but didn’t check if teachers could finish the course. The board has also done away with external examiners for practicals. The board must make changes or we will boycott,” said Anil Singh of Mumbai Junior College Teachers’ Association.

Source:::: The Times of India, 18-01-2013, p.02, http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI&Enter=true&Skin=TOINEW&AW=1358485709575