Editor,
The results of the MBOSE Higher Secondary school Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) examination have been declared. We are now awaiting the results of the much anticipated Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination 2023. The candidates awaiting the results have butterflies in their stomach; parents are anxious as well of their wards’performance and Heads of Schools and Management hopeful of a good result overall, for recognition among other institutions.
While a few will stand out and achieve higher marks in all subjects, the majority however will be indicated only as passed with average or below average marks obtained, not to mention that candidates can still pass even if they fail in 2 subjects (with the exception of English and MIL). Now come the challenges of getting admitted for 10+2 courses in various institutions and the decision as to which discipline to pursue. It’s unfortunate that most of our students are undecided which discipline to further their studies on until declaration of SSLC results, because they will base out on the subject/s they score the maximum marks in. This is actually not healthy considering that they score the least in their subject of interest in the SSLC examination and hence cannot choose that subject.
The blame for this rests on the MBOSE curriculum and its lack of approach and objectives which do not allow students to build their interests in certain disciplines from the early stages of the secondary level. They are only guided on how to pass the exams and this mindset carries on until the SSLC examinations. For instance, in the subject Social Science, Class X, there are four disciplines (History, Civics, Geography and Economics) with a total of about 39-40 chapters but only for a total marks of 80 (20 being internal marks). Now students have to prepare 40 chapters for only 80 marks and during exams there are chapters from which not a single question is set. Every year candidates complain that during the SSLC exam they can’t perform well in Social Science. Last year it was all over the news and social media about the difficulties faced by students due to lack of preparation.
The same can be said for Science, English or Mathematics. A student might show great interest in Geography but not in History; might perform better in Biology but not in Physics; might be very good in geometrical constructions but not so good with Algebra. However, during exam, the total marks from all disciplines are taken as one score. How will that justify a students’performance? No wonder it’s difficult for an MBOSE student to crack the national competitive exams in various fields (including CUET to undergraduate Programmes). Compared to central or other Boards, the curriculum is very rigid. Now, about MBOSE syllabus and textbooks, let’s be honest, and here you can get the opinions of any teacher that follows the MBOSE syllabus. The present MBOSE syllabus has very limited content and most of the textbooks are sub-standard and at times even give out wrong information. Being a teacher myself, I can confirm my findings and observations on this. There are several occasions when corrections have been made in those textbooks.
Often, I would wonder at the role and functions of MBOSE. Do they really have a curriculum framework in the first place? Is there is a Committee to look specifically at this matter and to discuss and come up with solutions? Or is MBOSE only responsible for registration of students, scheduling of examinations and declaration of results? The National Education Policy (2020) is in place and will be implemented before the timeline of 2030. However, I don’t know how much progress we have made as a state, in terms of preparation to incorporate this great reformation in the Educational System. It is imperative that the State Board sits, rethinks and reconstructs its curriculum. It’s time to revisit the existing syllabus and make changes to the textbooks so that our students will well-equipped when faced with the challenges of competing and pursuing higher courses of studies.
Personally, I feel that while all the issues on education in our state are about mismanagement, paucity of funds, teachers salaries and job security for teachers etc., no one talks about the problems faced by our students. Nobody represent their plight; no one questions the availability of proper infrastructure and facilities for learning or whether there even exists a healthy learning environment (including academic guidance, even physical well-being). Finally it’s time to question whether the structure of the MBOSE curriculum is practicable and serves its purpose of benefitting the students.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Turbulence in the aviation sector
Editor,
Despite India being the third-largest and one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, many airlines have failed in the country. These airlines either collapsed or were sold off due to financial crunch, debt, and mismanagement. Go First is the latest victim of the unforgiving Indian aviation market. Indigent and cash-strapped Go First, formerly known as Go Air, had filed voluntary insolvency with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
The company states that it was forced to file for voluntary insolvency because of “faulty” Pratt and Whitney engines which then led to the airlines grounding the majority of their flights. The CEO said that the insolvency was to revive the airline and not to sell it and confirmed that the owners had no plans to exit the aviation sector.
The move forced the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue a notice which asked the airline to work on a refund of rescheduled flights for future dates. It also said that it is closely observing the ongoing arbitrations. However, many flyers complained that they did not receive their refund or have received only partial refunds.
Go First’s crisis has also impacted the Indian aviation industry which is already battling high demand for pilots. In March, air travel became costlier by upto 12.82 pc as the government raised caps on domestic airfares. Now, the shortage of flights on domestic routes is another concern. Hence the question is, will this airline be able to recover or lose face in the Indian Aviation Market.
There might be a glimpse of hope for revival of this airline, under the NCLT voluntary Solvency Process which means that the company has accepted its business is insolvent and the company cannot repay its debts presently and requires help to sort all this matter out, and thus also safeguard the company from lessors to repossess their aircraft. And while insolvency and bankruptcy may sound the same, they are not. Insolvency is a financial state whereas bankruptcy is a legal declaration.
Go First was granted bankruptcy protection by the NCLT. However, this did not go well with the Global aviation leasing watchdog, Aviation Working Group (AWG) -a non-profit entity co-chaired by Airbus and Boeing, that monitors leasing and financial laws on behalf of plane makers and lessors, and has put India on a watchlist with a negative outlook.
The development follows the National Company Law Tribunal admitting Go First’s insolvency petition and granting it a moratorium, as a result of which lessors who wanted repossession of their aircraft, can’t do the same. Citing the instance, AWG has said that India has failed to comply with international aircraft repossession norms and this has turned India’s Aviation into a negative outlook and score which may in turn cause ripple effects in the future on other Indian Carriers because of the same.
Hence, it is imperative for the Government to expedite resolution for the same so that the “Go First” mayhem will not affect India’s aviation sector as a whole in the future.
Yours etc.,
Chanmiki Laloo,
Shillong- 2