The decision brings relief to schools, teachers and students who had been grappling with overlapping instructions issued earlier by different education authorities. According to the revised plan, all pre-board examinations will be completed by January 24, after which schools will compile results and forward the consolidated report to the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) by January 30.
District Education Officer Himanshu Bharti said the clarification was issued to ensure smooth conduct of examinations and reduce pressure on both students and teaching staff. “We have instructed schools to complete pre-board exams by January 24. In the following week, overall results will be prepared and sent to the DPI. The entire process will be completed by January 30,” he said.
The confusion had arisen due to overlapping timelines set by the Board of Secondary Education and the Directorate of Public Instruction. While the board had directed schools to conduct practical examinations between January 1 and January 20 and submit marks within that period, the DPI had earlier asked schools to complete pre-board examinations by January 20. This resulted in several schools facing the possibility of conducting practical and written examinations on the same day.
School principals and teachers had expressed concern over the impracticality of the schedule, citing administrative challenges and increased stress on students. Many institutions also faced staff shortages, as teachers from other schools are deputed as external examiners for practical examinations.
The district education office intervened to address the issue, directing that pre-board examinations be held only after the completion of practical exams. Teachers have been advised to evaluate answer scripts promptly to ensure timely preparation of results. However, officials clarified that there is no strict mandate requiring teachers to check papers on the same day, provided the evaluation process adheres to the prescribed timeline.
Practical examinations for board classes began in most schools from January 5, coinciding with the return from the New Year break. Officials said the revised schedule takes into account the logistical challenges faced during this period.
Education authorities believe the revised plan will streamline assessment and give students a fair opportunity to prepare for the final board examinations. Schools have been instructed to communicate the updated schedule to students and parents without delay.
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