CBSE students of Sai International School in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, June 19: CBSE students, who opted for school-based assessments in Class X instead of board exams, will not be eligible for admission into ISC (Indian School Certificate) schools across the country, according to a circular issued by the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).

Reacting to the notification, principal Arun Prakash of Sai International School here said it would not affect the students. “The CBSE had earlier made it clear that those who wish to switch over to any board after Class X must take the board exams. This is just an extension of the information which the students were given beforehand, and they made a choice accordingly,” he said.

At Sai International School, only six out of 36 students in Class X had opted for the CBSE board exams, while the rest preferred to take the school-based (internal) assessments.

In this system, the students had to answer questions set by the board, but their school evaluated their answer scripts and sent marks obtained by them directly to the CBSE head office. The results for both sets of students were announced on the same day.

Most students also said they were aware of the guidelines and had made an informed choice. “We were told that if we did not appear for CBSE board exams, we would not be able to apply to ISC schools or colleges governed by the state board. This CISCE circular would, therefore, hardly make any difference. Since CBSE curriculum is considered as more competitive exams-oriented, more students prefer to migrate from ICSE to CBSE schools after completing Class X,” said Swapna Priyadarshini, a student.

“Many students of BJEM School had also taken the internal exams. But not many of them were aware of these conditions. It might be a problem for those who plan to enrol in ISC schools outside the state,” said a teacher who runs a private coaching centre in the city.

CISCE spokesperson Gerry Arathoon had issued a statement on Saturday notifying that CBSE students applying for admission to Class XI in non-CBSE schools must get a letter from their respective schools certifying that they took the board exams.

He added the council’s directive was in line with the CBSE’s circular which said that students who wished to continue their studies in CBSE schools could opt for school-based assessments, while those who wanted to switch over to another board must take the board exam.