Board of Secondary Education in India – An Overview

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It was in 1921 that the first Board named as UP Board of High School and Intermediate Education was set up and had under its purview three areas namely Central India, Gwalior and Rajputana. Further expansion was granted in 1929 and with growth came improvement in standard and quality of education.

As progress continued over the years, an important milestone in the history of the Board occurred in 1952 when all the state universities and state boards in different parts of the country were brought under a single umbrella and the resultant authority was named as the ‘Central Board of Secondary Education’. The jurisdiction of the board extended beyond the geographical boundaries of this country and it provides affiliation even to schools which are located in the Union Territories.

Following a policy of decentralization, the Board of Secondary Education has regional offices scattered all over the country and although these have been vested with sufficient powers to handle daily administration and examination arrangements, policy matters need to be referred to the head office. Being a self financing body, this board meets all it recurring as well as non-recurring expenditure from its fee structure and does not depend on any other source for its financial requirements. Affiliation fee, annual examination charges, admission fees for entrance examinations and so on are the means through which the board acquires its funds.

The Board of Secondary Education is expected to perform the following functions:

• Introducing methods of teaching which are student centric as well as student friendly in a bid to encourage learning.
• Bringing about appropriate reforms in the method of conducting examinations.
• Modifying the existing evaluation practices in accordance with the situation and the needs of the present generation.
• Incorporating job-oriented and job-linked skills so as to enable the students to be cognizant with practical necessities.
• Updating the curriculum as well as training programs as and when required and conducting workshops to hone the pedagogical skills of teachers.

In addition to these functions the Board of Secondary Education has to bear in mind certain objectives and work towards them through long term and short term plans. One of the foremost responsibilities of the Board is to conduct examinations for Std X and XII and grant certificates to students who have successfully crossed these examinations, having appeared from affiliated schools.

To cater to the educational requirements of students whose parents are in transferable jobs is an objective of the Board of Secondary Education which is more demanding as compared to its other responsibilities. Raising the academic standards of the country and streamlining the method of conducting examinations are some of the long term objectives of this organization.

Apart from academics and entrance examinations this board comprises of a vigilance unit as well which provides guidelines in case of lodging a complaint and the procedure to be followed for its successful submission. In keeping with the latest trend of increasing dependency on the Internet, there is an online cell as well wherein complaints can be lodged.

There is a physical education and sports unit as well in order to ensure all round development of students.