Month-long SSC timetable sparks debate over student focus

The extended SSC Class X exam schedule, with three- to five-day gaps between papers, has drawn objections from teachers who fear students may lose focus. The government has introduced an action plan to ensure students use the break days for revision and practice.

Hyderabad: Introduced for the first time to reduce pressure and anxiety among students, long gaps between SSC Public Examinations may prove to be counterproductive and detrimental, besides exposing students to distractions.

The State government has recently released the Class X exams timetable, spreading across more than a month from March 14 to April 16. This has been done on the lines of the Class X time-table of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) that gives short gaps between subjects.

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Unlike previous years, when the exams had been completed in about 10 days, this year’s SSC timetable provided a three to five-day gap between examinations. Key subjects such as English, Mathematics, Physical Science and Biological Science papers are scheduled with a four-day gap between each examination. Further, there is a five-day gap before the social studies exam is conducted on April 13.

School teachers, who are not consulted by the government regarding schedule, have strongly objected to it. They contended that long gaps between examinations may lead students to lose focus on academics.

“Given their age, students will easily get distracted by mobile phones, television and other activities during the breaks, and may end up performing poorly in the examinations. Some parents in the rural areas take their children for agricultural work,” said a school assistant with a government school.

As the schedule received strong objections from the schools and teaching community, the State government now appears to be in damage control mode. Accordingly, the School Education department has come up with an action plan to engage students during the gap between the examinations.

The gap days, as per the action plan released by the department, between two subject examinations must be utilised only for academic purposes, with revision and concept reinforcement, practice test, and answer writing guidance.

Teachers have been instructed to guide students in revising important topics, key concepts, formulas, definitions and high-weightage areas related to the forthcoming subject. In addition, they have been directed to hold a practice test strictly based on the SSC annual examination pattern every day. After the test, teachers must explain methods of writing answers, with key points, proper structure and presentation.

Further, as there is a 14-day gap after completion of pre-final examination and commencement of the annual exams, the schools have been asked to categorise students – not likely pass, scoring average marks and showing good progress – based on their performance in the pre-final.

Based on the category, the schools are told to take appropriate and specific interventions, including special classes, ensuring that all students clear the exams.