CBSE regional office at Sheikhpura in Patna

Board order CBSE asks schools to send lists of candidates for proficiency optional test by April 14 Ground reality Class X students have taken their board examinations and are not attending classes Paradox By the time proficiency test results are declared, students will be in Class XI

Principals of various schools in the state capital are miffed at the decision of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to conduct optional proficiency test for Class X students even as the board examinations are over.

The board has asked the schools to send their respective lists of candidates by April 14. The paradox is the Class X students have already taken their board examinations and are no more attending classes. “Unless they (the students) are informed about the proficiency test, how would they apply for it?” asked a school principal.

What surprises many is the face that the date of the test has not yet been decided. Besides, by the time the results of the proficiency test are declared, the students would be in Class XI. Under such circumstances, not many see much reason to conduct the proficiency test that aims at helping the students to choose a stream to pursue in the Plus II level.

A principal of a school told The Telegraph on condition of anonymity that CBSE authorities only focused on Delhi-based students and did not think about students in villages who do not have access to the Internet. He added: “How would they know about the proficiency test? The students in towns are also not coming to school after the board examinations. How are we supposed to send the list of candidates to the board?”

Most CBSE-affiliated schools in Patna would start the admission procedure for Class XI in April even before the results are declared. Keeping this in mind, proficiency test would virtually not be of any benefit for the students in making any decision regarding their career.

In 2011, the last date for filling up the forms for the proficiency test was January 20. This year, the date has been fixed on April 14. The school authorities are surprised to see CBSE making such decisions. The students, too, are also unaware of the optional proficiency test.

Abhishek, who has taken the Class X examination, said, “I am unaware of any such test. If it would have been on time, it would have actually helped us.”Alok Kumar, another student who has just taken the board examination, is of the same opinion. “Neither I nor my friends know about any such test. If the test was held earlier, it would have definitely helped us.”

The assistant secretary of CBSE, Patna region, L.L. Meena, told The Telegraph: “We have no idea about the optional proficiency test. All decisions are taken by our head office in New Delhi.” The board would charge a student Rs 300 for a subject and Rs 600 for five subjects for the optional proficiency test.