Standardised Question Papers: Education Department Takes Charge for Classes 9-12

Uniformity in Exams: Class 9-12 Exam Papers to Be Prepared by Education Department

To enhance transparency and fairness in the school examination process, the education department has introduced a significant change starting from the current academic session. For the first time, standardized question papers will be established at the directorate level for Classes 9 to 12. Previously, such standardized test questions were reserved only for Class 10 and 12 board exams. Under the new system, half-yearly and final exam papers for Classes 9 and 11 will be uniform across all districts. To ensure the smooth implementation and oversight of this initiative, a two-year-term common examination nodal committee will be constituted at the state level.

On 5 September the Director of Secondary Education issued these instructions. The newly formed committee will decide about the fees paid by students to cover the district-level distribution of question papers and the remaining fees will be received by the directorate level. To maintain confidentiality, the committee will also supervise the printing of question papers. The order states that payment will not be given until all printed question papers have been received, and that the name of the company or printing press chosen for this assignment shall be kept private.

To maintain confidentiality, the committee will supervise the formation and moderation of question papers at the divisional level, once it is finalized it will be handed over to the state-level committee to keep it safe. Later on, papers will be directly sent to exam coordinator schools in each district to distribute to all exam centers.

The Rajasthan Primary and Secondary Teachers Association's Chief General Secretary, Mahendra Pandey, stated that the new approach will increase awareness and quality while also elevating the significance of half-yearly and annual examinations. Teachers pointed out that although the quality is anticipated to improve, the implementation of this new process may present challenges for the department.

The Rajasthan Primary and Secondary Teachers Association's State President, Vipin Prakash Sharma, observed that due to the adoption of standardized question papers, exams will be scheduled timely and equally throughout the state, and the establishment of a common examination center will reduce the cases of paper leakage, as there is only one exam question used throughout the state, any leak would require rescheduling the test for the entire state, highlighting the significance of strong precautions against such occurrences he added.

Editor’s Note:

Rajasthan Education Department took a revolutionary step meant to provide better consistency and transparency by preparing question papers for classes 9-12 in government schools throughout the state. Previously question papers were prepared at the district level which created inconsistency, this new change will provide every student with the same set of papers to improve fairness and standardized exams. The department hopes to increase exam quality and expedite the statewide examination process by centralizing this process. The program also demonstrates a dedication to upholding stringent guidelines and avoiding discrepancies across various districts. 

Skoobuzz commends the efforts of the Education Department as this step will reduce teacher’s workload, and create more transparency and a standardised examination process.