Chennai: In a move that could go a long way in reducing the stress faced by students, CBSE has asked schools not to be strict about the time taken by Class IX students in finishing their annual examination papers and directed that they be given up to 30 extra minutes.

In a recent circular to all CBSE-affiliated schools about the conduct of the summative assessment for Class IX students, the board instructed them to ‘‘allow students flexible timing to answer question papers. This may vary from three to three-and-a-half hours’’. The circular said the decision was taken to accommodate the difference in the pace at which students answer the questions.

Lalitha Chandrasekaran, principal of DAV Girls Senior Secondary School in Gopalapuram, said, ‘‘The move will ease the tension of students and allow them more time to think and answer. The extra time will help them write answers more clearly and allow students slower than the others to complete their papers.’’

Students are pleased with the move. Dushyant George, studying in Class IX in Chinmaya Vidyalaya, said, ‘‘I am a slow writer. So, from the minute the exam starts, I’m worried whether I’ll be able to finish the papers, especially the language ones that require us to write detailed essays. The CBSE’s move gives me confidence that I will be able to finish my paper.’’

Educationists said the move was in tune with reforms in school education announced by HRD ministry. They said it would help ease the heightened stress levels of students in the examination season. Educational consultant KR Maalathi said, ‘‘Parents and teachers insist students complete their papers or at least attempt all questions. Many a time students just glance through the questions, see a few key words and attempt to answer them without reading properly. Most of them do this while answering objective type questions. Giving the students a few more minutes will definitely allow them to control their anxiety and read the questions properly before answering them.’’

source: TOI