Updated on Thursday, June 25, 2009, 10:43 IST

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi, June 25: In what could be a pointer towards the government’s seriousness to bring in substantial reforms in education, HRD minister Kapil Sibal has indicated that the government could abolish the Class X Board examinations to lessen the “trauma” on young students.

The Human Resource Development Minister has outlined his ministry is looking into the feasibility of abolishing the strenuous 10th exams that give sleep less nights to the parents and minor students – often resulting in psychological problems before and after the exam.

"We need to de-traumatise it and reduce the burden on parents and children. We could, for instance, think of abolishing the Class 10 Board exam. Why does a child need to appear for a board exam in class 10 if he/she is continuing in the same school?” Sibal said.

Instead, Sibal said, the ministry will look at alternatives like setting up percentiles and not percentages to evaluate the student’s performance.

The latest statement came in the backdrop of earlier assurance of reforms by the Minister in school as well as higher education.

Higher Education

Sibal had, yesterday, expressed confidence that the government will implement in 100 days the Yash Pal committee's recommendations on higher education.

The committee report has also suggested the government to set up a National Commission for Higher Education and Research has been suggested which will be an apex body in education.

The committee, headed by noted educationist Prof Yash Pal, suggested setting up National Commission for Higher Education and Research which will be an apex body. UGC, AICTE and other councils will be scrapped.

The commission will be a constitutional body like Election Commission and the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and Chief Justice of India will select the chairman and the members.

Regulatory bodies like University Grants Commission, All India Council of Technical Education and Medical Council of India will cease to exist and their staff could be absorbed in some other organisation.