Reform (UPA- Part 2): Class X exam

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) seems to be on the track of many liberal changes in its part-2 edition. Soon after the election 2009 verdict, the newly appointed ministers were asked to act, rather than to talk.Now we can see the results in the form of a few historical change proposals.HRD Minister Mr. Kapil Sibal is in the favour of doing away with Class X board exam to reduce the stress on students and to nullify the number of suicide cases among non-performing students. This is a welcome change as part of the Indian Education System is concerned.But to enforce it in a more effective way so that it doesn't prove infructuous is more important.In TOI dated 2nd July 09, columnist Nandita Sengupta has given some minute details in the article 'exams are not problems', where she opposes the view of Mr.Sibal that exams are the only traumatic drawback that is coming in the way of children's higher studies.In support of this,she unveils the fact of sheer paucity of opportunities thereafter.A poor performing student of lower middle class can't afford to take an educational loan and go abroad for studies of his preference, which the higher class can.In that case, even the percentages are replaced with percentiles will still not make sense. The poor performing student is still left with no options.So, the doing away with one exam will not suffice at all. We need to create more institutions with quality standard with an adequate number of seats there, more job oriented vocational studies and more job opportunities for every stream of study. Then only every section of society will have access to higher education and this in turn,will add value to knowledge base of the country as a whole.Mr. Sibal will have to look from this angle too.