Council may keep sem format for HS

Kolkata: Unlike the central boards — CISCE and CBSE — which have reverted to the pre-pandemic board exam format, West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education on Monday indicated it will propose to the state to continue with the semester format for the HS exams. The council also indicated it had asked for question paper moderation, keeping in mind that HS examinees this year were appearing for their first board exam. Board president Chiranjib Bhattacharya said, “We should remember that this year, the exams were different from that of previous years. So, we told paper setters not to frame tricky questions which could create confusion. We are happy there was no complaint after the examination.” This year, class XII students took their first board examination as the Madhyamik exams in 2021 were cancelled due to Covid.The HS council has prepared a plan for implementing four semesters for classes XI and XII. “The semester system will help conduct a continuous evaluation and students will have a chance to improve. We are waiting for the final nod from the government,” Bhattacharya said. Last year, TOI reported that the council was planning to introduce AI and machine learning, and data science from the 2023-24 academic session for classes XI-XII. Bhattacharya said they have prepared a course curriculum and are waiting for the final approval from the state.