Teachers, students express mixed views about exam for Class 11

While teachers feel that it will help students prepare well for the entrance examination, a cross section of students, feel that it will only add to the stress. “After writing Class 10 examination, students do not take their class 11 seriously and then stress out during board examination in class 12. If class 11 is also made a public exam, they will study harder and they will be better prepared for the entrance exam. This suggestion came after talks about the NEET exam,” says Tamil Nadu Teachers Association State president PK Ilamaran.

However, some parents and students feel that it might not be a good idea because it will only pile on to the already existing stress. “We see our children get worried about the exams and after that, the results. They get one year in between to gear-up for the challenging year ahead. We must not take that away from children,” says Jitesh Kumar, member of a PTA at a school in Vepery.

Children too feel that class 11 is the only time they get to participate in extracurricular activities. “This is the time we get to explore our social skills We also meet students from other schools. I participated in district level volleyball matches only during Class 11. Board exams will only curb these small pleasures,” says Vishal RS, a class 12 student, a CA aspirant.