Sibal plan: Andhra will have to start Plus Two

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal to make Class X board exams optional will make schools in Andhra Pradesh introduce Class XI and XII,saving students the trouble of seeking fresh admissions after clearing Class X. At present,students who pass Class X have to seek fresh admissions in junior colleges to complete Class XI and XII,known as Intermediate. This is a much tougher task than changing schools in other states.

Secondary Education Minister M Varaprasad Rao,while guarded in welcoming the proposal,said 90 per cent of the state’s schools are affiliated to the State Board and conduct classes only till Class X. “This can turn out to be a problem. All schools will have to introduce Plus Two and allow students not opting for the Board exams to continue till Class XII in the same school. Junior colleges won’t accept students who have not opted to clear Class X boards,because they won’t consider the internal grading system given by the school. If schools don’t introduce Plus Two,the students have to compulsorily go for Class X board to seek admission in junior colleges. I see a conflict here,” Rao said.

“While it is good to have a uniform system,it appears a move like this will make all schools follow CBSE. We will have to study the proposal and then decide,” Rao said.

School Education Director P Malakondaiah said the government will form district-level committees to first invite and discuss suggestions from schools. On the other hand,private junior colleges,where students now complete their Plus Two,are likely to lobby hard that the government reject the suggestion.