CBSE to introduce gender studies in schools

New Delhi: Amid demands for sensitization of youths following the national outrage over Delhi gang rape incident, CBSE has decided to introduce 'human rights and gender studies' for students from the coming academic session.

The subject will be offered as an elective course in classes XI and XII.

CBSE to offer Human Rights, Gender Studies course

New Delhi: The CBSE has decided to offer elective course on Human Rights and Gender Studies at higher secondary school level to increase awareness among students on the issues. 

Board exams approaching: Avoid social sites

VARANASI: With only a week's time left for the board examinations, frequently checking social networking sites, messages and calls are not good for the concentration of board examinees. While the helpline section on the website of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) mentioned that at this juncture students need self control and try to refrain from logging on to the net, counsellors and teachers across the city are also accepting this fact.

CBSE school take CCE just as a ‘Core’

Assessing students across the country is just a core for many CBSE school across the nation. CBSE did a proof of assessment and found out that only 31.57 % of schools are following the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation in letter and spirit.

Scholastic projects to be sent to board

The schools affiliated to CBSE have been asked to send the projects of various scholastic areas of Classes IX to XII for project based learning material which they would like to share with the Board. 

CBSE on Youtube

CBSE launched a channel on You Tube dedicated to the various activities conducted by the Board and its affiliated schools. Schools can also sent short films, role plays, talks, discussions, debates, presentations or other such activities to the channel.

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Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi JEE (Main) Secretariat

JEE (Main) – 2013 Computer Based Exam in Kerala

As per the declared schedule, the Computer Based JEE(Main) Exam was to be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi on 9th, 22nd, 23rd and 25 th April 2013 throughout the country including Ernakulam, the only center for Computer Based Examination in the state of Kerala.

In order to facilitate the JEE(Main) candidates who  have also enrolled to appear in KEAM-2013 scheduled for 22nd and 23rd April 2013, and who could not opt for 9th or 25th April at Ernakulam due non availability of slots,  the Board has decided to increase capacity by creating  three new centres to conduct Computer Based JEE(Main) Exam. The new centre cities are given below ; 

As such the JEE(Main) candidates who have enrolled  to appear both for Computer Based JEE(Main) examination on 22nd and 23rd April 2013 at Ernakulam and KEAM-2013 may give their choice to appear for their Computer Based JEE(Main) Examination at any of the above mentioned cities and dates. This facility will be available upto 22nd Feb 2013.

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Parents fret as kids 'waste time' on social sites

LUDHIANA: With CBSE exams round the corner, the addiction to social networking sites among teenagers is leading to wastage of critical time. Parents say their children stay hooked to computers and smart phones rather than concentrating on their books.

Sarabha Nagar resident Rahul Jain, father of Class X student Ankit Jain, said he is worried about his son as he spends about 2-3 hours every day on social networking even with his exams around the corner. "I decided to act tough during the crucial days before exams and took his phone from him, but he still surfs these sites from his friend's mobile," added the father.

Mother of Class XII student and BRS Nagar resident Harsimran Singh, Manpreet Kaur is worried for her son's fate in the examination as he too, like Ankit, remains glued to social networking sites.

"Initially, I thought he was looking for helpful information and notes online, but soon I realized he had been posting updates on Facebook and Twitter. He would then keep looking for comments and likes and browsing through social networking sites. I wouldn't have had a problem if he did not have exams on his head," said Manpreet.

Head of the psychiatry department at DMCH Dr Ranjive Mahajan said he has received at least 10 cases in the last month wherein parents complain that children do not part from social networking even before the exams.

"Some of them find social networking a stress buster during exams, but most do not have control and are distracted by regular updates and notifications of their activity on social networking sites. Not keeping a control on the time spent online can take a toll on students' academic performance," said Mahajan.

Academician Tarannum Fatma, who counsels parents and children, acknowledged the fact that social networking sites do distract some students. "I advise the parents to limit their ward's usage of mobile phones and computers and monitor the time they spend on social networking sites. The computer should be placed in an area that is visible from most corners of the house," she added.

(Names of parents and children have been changed on request)

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Relaxation for Differently abled candidates in Problem Solving Assessment(PSA) scheduled for 16th February, 2013

Life Skills would be assessed within the following domains:

• Quantitative : which includes the reasoning seen in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
• Qualitative : which includes the kinds of reasoning found in Mathematics and Science
• Language Conventions : which includes different aspects of written communication (e.g.grammar,
vocabulary etc.)
The distribution of 90 marks over the 60 items of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) is as follows : 

As per Rule 24(iii) of the Examination Byelaws, Dyslexic, Autistic, Spastic candidates and candidates with visual and hearing impairment have the option of offering one language and any four subjects at secondary level as under:

Mathematics, Science, Social Science, another language, Music, Painting, Home Science, Foundation of information Technology, Commerce(Elements of Business) & Commerce(Elements of Book Keeping and Accountancy)

The above category of students, if any, appearing from your school, may be given relaxation from attempting the questions based on the domain they have/had not taken at Secondary level. In such cases the score obtained by them in other domains shall be computed to be out of 90 through computer program at the time of finalization of result of the Assessment. You are also requested to send a copy of the letter issued by the Board indicating the concessions given to such students alongwith the OMR sheets to the Regional Office concerned.

Code on the Question Paper Booklets for Problem Solving Assessment(PSA) scheduled for 16th February, 2013

Problem Solving Assessment is scheduled to be held on 16th February, 2016 in all the summer bound schools affiliated to the Board. Question Paper Booklets having Code 091P are meant for Class IX and those having Code 111P are meant for Class XI. 

Frequently Asked Questions based on `Problem Solving Assessment’ (PSA)

Q1 Will `Problem Solving Assessment’ be a part of FA4? 

A1 Yes, the  `Problem Solving Assessment’  will be counted towards FA-4 which is 10% of total assessments of Class IX. This assessment will also be carried forward towards the FA-4 in Class X. This score will be reflected in one Language (English or Hindi), Mathematics, Science and Social Science w.e.f the session 2012-2013 for Class IX and 2013 – 14 for Class X. The same score will be reflected in FA-4 for class IX and Class X. 

Q2  Will the Question paper for PSA for classes IX and XI be sent by the Board?

A2 Yes, the Question Paper containing OMR Answer Sheet will be provided by the Board. 

Q3  Can we conduct any other tests/assignments/projects etc. for FA4 in class IX?

A3 Yes, you may conduct activities but such activities will not be counted towards FA4 in the subjects mentioned at upto Sl. No.1 above. Schools may club such tasks in FA3. 

Q4  The student has to opt for one language for PSA (English/Hindi). Does this mean that the FA4 score of second language in class IX to  be submitted by the school?  Will there be one set of Question paper in PSA or questions in PSA will be asked for separate section of language?

A4 (a).  The PSA score will be reflected in the opted language. Regarding second language, the FA 4 score will be provided by the school.(b).  PSA will comprise one question paper with following domains:
•  Qualitative
•  Quantitative
•  Language conventions

Q5  Suppose a student has scored 40 marks out of 60 in PSA of class IX then those 40 marks will taken in all subjects like ENGLISH, HINDI, MATHS, SC,SSC.

A5 The Problem Solving Assessment in class  IX will comprise of a Question Paper of 90 marks having 60 Multiple Choice Questions. If a student gets 40 out of 90, then its 10% i.e., 4.4 will be reflected in one language (English or Hindi), Mathematics, Science and Social Science.

Q6  When will `Problem Solving Assessment’ be conducted?

A6 Conduct of Examinations for Classes IX and XI: The Examination will be held on 16th February, 2013(Saturday) from 10.00 AM to 12.00 Noon in all schools except the schools falling in Winter Bound 
areas. 

Q7  Does PSA help the average students? 

A7 Yes, the items in Problem Solving  Assessment’(CBSE-PSA) will be designed in such a way so as to improve the generic and higher order thinking skills. This will also result in improving scores within the core school subjects.

Q8  Will there be any separate time table & specific syllabus for PSA for classes IX and XI?

A8 As indicated in the circular nos. 40 & 41 there will be no separate time table or periods for teaching or 
practice of PSA in schools. There is no specific syllabus for `Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA). The question paper will be designed to assess the following areas:-
•  Quantitative Reasoning
•  Qualitative Reasoning
•  Language Conventions

Q9  When will the students of class IX improve their PSA score?

A9 The students will have the option to improve their PSA Score in Class X, as they can sit for the test with Class IX students of the Session 2013-2014 the actual date would be announced by the Board. The best scores will be reflected in the final certificate in case of those applying for improvement. 

Q10  Will the PSA for Class IX and XI be conducted by school or Board? If it is to be conducted by board  then will there be any registration procedure or not?

A10 Yes, PSA for classes IX & XI will be conducted by the Board. Registration number already issued will also be applicable for PSA.

Q11 If marks of newly introduced PSA for class IX are included in one language then which marks will be included in the other language for FA4?

A11 Regarding second language, the FA 4 score will be provided by the school based on Formative Assessment activities conducted. 

Q12  Is PSA going to be the only assessment for FA4 in one language and 3 other subjects  or PSA conducted by CBSE will be of the assessments of FA4. As 3-4 item have already planned for FA4 of all the subjects, will score of PSA is to added with them in order to obtain 10% or 10% of PSA score will become FA4. Please clarify.

A12 The schools which have already planned their time table and other details regarding FA-4 can take the 
best scores of FA-3 and FA-4 to count towards the total 10%, now available for FA-3 and FA-4 taken together.

Q13  Is it mandatory for all the students of classes IX and XI to appear in PSA?

A13 Yes, it is mandatory for all students of Class IX and Class XI for academic session 2012-13 to appear in 
Problem Solving Assessment (PSA).

Q14  Where will `Problem Solving Assessment’ be conducted?

A14 The `Problem Solving Assessment’ will be conducted in the respective schools. 

Q15  When will the PSA certificate be issued by the Board?

A15The students of class XI will get a certificate on the `Problem Solving Assessment’ by July, 2013. However 
in respect to class IX students, the marks obtained in PSA will be reflected in the CCE Certificate.

Q16 If a student is absent in class IX on the date of conducted PSA, then how will his/her score be 
calculated in FA4?

A16 The student who is absent on the date of conduct ofPSA in class IX may appear in class X along with 
Improvement candidates.

Q17  When will PSA Model Question Papers for classes IX & XI be available?

A17 The sample question paper of Problem Solving Assessment for classes IX and XI and sample OMR sheet is available on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in under Academic Section.

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