On Open Book Exam, A Clarification From CBSE

Amidst The Excitement Surrounding The Open Book Examination (OBE) For Students In Grades 9–12, The Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) Has Made It Clear That It Plans To Carry Out An Extensive Study In Its Affiliated Schools To Determine Whether Or Not The OBE Can Be Implemented Within The Indian Educational System.

This Action Is In Keeping With The National Curriculum Framework For Secondary Education’s (NCF-Se) Recommendations. The Board’s Initial Aim Is To Test The Obe Approach And Then Assess Its Viability In The Indian Setting.

The CBSE Has Denied Any Urgent Plans To Implement The OBE In A Limited Number Of Schools As A Trial Program For Particular Topics And Grade Levels, Notwithstanding What The Media Has Reported. Rather, The Board’s Present Priority Is To Start A Study To See Whether The Proposal Is Feasible.

The CBSE’s Director Of Academics, Joseph Emmanuel, Explained The Board’s Position On The OBE In An Interview With Education Times. He Said, “The CBSE Has Decided To Undertake A Study To Understand The Feasibility For Bringing Assessment Reforms Like The OBE Based On Recommendations In The Nep-2020 And NCF-Se 2023. Some Media Reports Have Created Confusion.” The Study Would Be Carried Out At A Few Chosen CBSE Schools Since It’s Crucial To Test The OBE First Before Assessing Its Viability.”

Mr. Emmanuel Went On To Say, “The CBSE Has Earlier Introduced Case-Based Questions In The Board Exam Paper; Students Can Answer The Case-Based Questions Only If They Have A Conceptual Understanding.”

The Chief Academic Officer At CBSE Underscored The Necessity For The Organization To Determine Whether Adopting The Obe Assessment Would Actually Assist Students.

“A Country As Vast As India, With Learners From Diverse Backgrounds, Requires Extensive Preparation And Support Before Implementing Obe Assessments,” Mr Emmanuel Said.

“CBSE Needs To Analyze If Using The Obe Evaluation Will Indeed Help Students. Thus, It Is Essential To Carry Out Research On OBE,” He Continues.

The OBE Was First Implemented By The CBSE In 2013–14; However, It Was Later Withdrawn As A Result Of Unfavorable Comments From Stakeholders, Such As Parents And Students.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s Instructions, Which Emphasize The Investigation Of Diverse Assessment Procedures For The Enhancement Of Students’ Learning Experiences, Are In Line With The Most Recent Reexamination Of OBE.