In alignment with West Bengal’s educational policy, which advocates splitting the higher secondary examination into two segments, the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has proposed the implementation of dual board examinations for Class 12 students. The announcement came from the board president, Chiranjib Bhattacharya, on a recent Tuesday.
The recommendation from WBCHSE pertains to the introduction of two board examinations for Class XII students, commencing from the 2025-26 academic session. This innovative approach envisions conducting exams in November and March each year.
The first semester examinations, slated for November, will adopt an objective format. Students will be expected to respond to questions using OMR sheets. In contrast, the second semester examination, scheduled for March, will be conducted in a descriptive format, requiring students to provide comprehensive and well-explained answers.
The final assessment of students’ performance will be based on the average of the marks obtained in the two semesters. This division of assessment into two separate exams aims to prevent students from becoming complacent after achieving high scores in the initial examination.
In a previous notification, WBCHSE had introduced provisions for Children With Special Needs (CWSN). Students falling into this category will be granted an additional 60 minutes during the three-hour examination to accommodate their specific needs. Blind candidates will be permitted to use magnifying glasses and calculators for paper assessment. Furthermore, the board has arranged for readers to assist students with disabilities in reading the question paper if they choose not to use a scribe facility. Persons with disabilities will be allowed to use assistive devices during the examination.
This initiative by the West Bengal Board signifies a progressive step toward inclusive and comprehensive education, with the introduction of dual board exams and accommodations for students with special needs.