The Delhi Parents Association (DPA) has raised concerns regarding the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) swift implementation of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for evaluating Class 12 answer sheets. They argue that the rollout lacked proper preparation, training, and input from educators.
In contrast, the government and CBSE have defended the introduction of the OSM system, asserting that it aims to improve transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in the evaluation process.
According to the board, the digital evaluation method is designed to minimize errors in scoring and mark transfer, enhance accountability in assessments, and provide a more uniform approach to evaluation.
In a conversation with PTI, DPA President Aprajita Gautam expressed concerns about the limited duration of the trial run for the new digital evaluation system, which involved only a small group of teachers. She noted, “The trial run was conducted over a very brief period. There was insufficient feedback collected from educators, and the sample size was quite limited, primarily focusing on whether the system could manage the expected workload.”
Gautam further stated that many teachers could not dedicate enough time to familiarize themselves with the new system due to their existing academic commitments. “Teachers, whose main duty is to instruct students and elevate school performance, struggled to find time for practice. The adequacy of their preparation for grading was not adequately considered,” she added.
Her comments come amidst rising student concerns regarding inconsistencies in Class 12 results following the OSM’s implementation this year. In response to CBSE’s claims of improved transparency and positive feedback from evaluators, Gautam pointed out that student complaints indicate otherwise.
She also criticized the re-evaluation process, highlighting that many students experienced difficulties accessing the online portal during its initial phase. “Numerous students were unable to navigate the first step of the process and do not even possess photocopies of their answer sheets. How can they pursue redress?” she questioned.
Gautam further sought clarification on the reported nearly 450,000 applications submitted for verification and re-evaluation, emphasizing the need for transparency about their origins. “We need insight into where these applications are coming from. The data should be disclosed publicly, broken down by state and city. Many students hail from government schools and rural areas where access to computers and technical assistance is limited, leaving many unable to apply,” she asserted.
As of Tuesday, the board announced that the online portal had received 43,980 applications for answer sheet verification and re-evaluation by noon, with the total exceeding 56,000 by 9:30 PM. The CBSE had previously delayed the launch of this portal, initially expected to start accepting applications by May 29, and it is set to remain open until June 6 at midnight. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.
Additionally, Gautam alleged that due to a shortage of evaluators, some answer sheets may have been graded by Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) instead of the typically designated Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) for Class 12 evaluations. “I learned this from teachers involved in the grading process. We received this information when the re-evaluation window opened,” she stated.
Calling for an investigation into these issues, Gautam urged the CBSE to provide details regarding the evaluators involved in the grading process. “How many TGTs and PGTs were engaged? This information should be made available state-wise. Given that evaluators are compensated based on the number of papers they assess, these records should be accessible for verification,” she concluded.
In related news, CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta were removed from their positions on Tuesday. The Central government has established a one-member committee to investigate the procurement of services related to the on-screen marking system by the CBSE.
