The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought details from the Centre on the remedial measures being undertaken by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to address concerns regarding CBSE’s news On-Screen Marking (OSM) evaluation system that was used for the first time this year for class 12 board examinations.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking regulations for the conduct and evaluation of CBSE’s new marking system.
The CJI raised concerns over the impact this has had on the affected students. “Look at the amount of frustration of young children,” the Chief Justice remarked. Supreme Court raised concerns over issues affecting students appearing for CBSE board examinations, observing that there was visible frustration among young learners and asking authorities to take corrective steps.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that “there are some creeping problems” and said the Court was looking for assistance from the authorities to address the concerns. The Court clarified that its approach was not adversarial.
“We are seeking your assistance, not in an adversarial way. There are some problems,” Justice Bagchi said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, informed the Court that a one-member committee had been constituted to examine the issues. The committee is headed by former bureaucrat S. Radha Chauhan.
Mehta also claimed in front of the Court that the issue concerning individual marksheets had already been resolved, while the broader request for changes in the evaluation system was being examined by the committee. “There was an issue of individual marksheet. That is resolved now. He wanted some change in the system. For that, a one-member commission has been formed led by Mr. S. Radha Chauhan,” Mehta submitted.
The Solicitor General requested the Court’s assistance and said the government would apprise it of the steps being taken.
CJI Kant directed that details of the remedial measures being undertaken by CBSE be placed before the Court and listed the matter for further hearing next week.
What was the CBSE OSM controversy?
The CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) controversy revolves around concerns raised by students, parents, teachers, and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) over the way CBSE evaluates Class 10 and 12 board exam answer sheets using its digital evaluation system.
Students claimed that there marks had declined massively, and then further allegations were made that the answer sheets were not scanned properly.