While the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is pondering over the idea to make class X examinations optional, most of the state secondary boards have expressed their reservations.

The decision was made in a meeting of the Council of Boards of School Education (Cobse) at New Delhi. Legislative bodies of around 42 secondary boards of the country were present at the meeting.

“Although there are apprehensions, I don't think the move will affect a student's learning process in any way. It is a brilliant idea for making studies stress-free and kills unnecessary competition between students. Examinations do not add to a student's learning factor,” said Jose Kurien, principal, DAV School, Nerul.

As per sources, many of the state boards have rejected to Union Minister Mr. Kapil Sibal’s suggestion of making the class X exams optional, and only CBSE showed their readiness to accept the proposal.

However, parents had expressed their unhappiness with any such decision. One of the parents said, “I agree there is tremendous pressure on students, but if there is no pressure, they will not take studies seriously. Cobse's step may weaken their knowledge base.”