Patna, Oct. 22: Thanks to the Bihar School Examination Board, pursuing one's interest in physics for example and balancing it with varied subjects such as accounting and history at the Intermediate-level is now possible.
The Board has decided to abolish the stream-based test pattern from 2018. Under the new system, to which the BSEB governing board gave its consent today, there will be more flexibility for students to choose subjects. Now, a student can opt for any three subjects from arts, commerce or science streams. For example, a student from the science stream can opt any three science papers from a list of four papers (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology). But come 2018, a student opting for mathematics can take any two subjects from even the arts or commerce stream.
The BSEB has prepared a list of 19 subjects from three streams that a student can opt for. Moreover, he/she can take two language subjects from a list of 12 language subjects.
BSEB chairman Anand Kishor said: "The basic idea behind introducing the new concept is to offer flexibility to students while choosing subjects. The system is much like the choice-based credit system (CBCS), which the University Grants Commission has asked universities to introduce."
The CBCS programme offers students a choice of papers from prescribed courses.
Students appearing for the 2018 Intermediate examination will have to appear for the test based on the new pattern. The BSEB governing board proposal will be sent to the state government for approval. Kishor said: "Under the system, the board will not publish the Intermediate degree/certificate under the head of science, arts and commerce streams, which is in practice."
Sources in BSEB said the biggest challenge will be availability of teachers, as many government/private Intermediate colleges are stream-based now. A BSEB official said: "There are Intermediate colleges offering either science, commerce or arts studies. If a science college student wants to study history or accounting, then the institutions have to hire subject-based teachers from arts and commerce."
