Delhi HC disallows CBSE to scrap moderation policy this year

New Delhi, May 23 (IANS): In a major relief to students who appeared for Classes 10 and 12 exams, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the CBSE not to implement its decision to scrap its moderation policy this year.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Pratibha M. Singh noted that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had decided to do away with the moderation policy after the students had taken the examinations.

The court’s direction came on a public interest litigation that contended that the policy should not be done away with this year since it will affect students of Class 12 who have applied for admissions abroad.

The petition was filed by a parent and a lawyer, who said the policy was changed by way of a notification after the exams for the year were held and hence would have a drastic impact on the students.

Moderation of marks is done to bring uniformity in the evaluation process, wherein marks scored by students are changed to align with the marking standards of different examiners.

The bench said that “a person who is taking the examination needs to be put to notice (about the decision to scrap the policy). Do it next year”.

The court said it was concerned over the “trauma” of students who have taken the examination.

“Children have a right to know what you (CBSE) are doing. Probably, they are under more stress. Don’t instil insecurity,” the court observed.

The CBSE, however, said it will continue with its practice of awarding grace marks to students where a few marks are required to qualify.