``The idea is to remove the fear of exams from the minds of children and generate in them an eagerness to understand topics, rather than scaring them with prolonged examinations, which are mostly tests of how much they have learned by rote,'' CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly said.

MASTI KI PATHSHALA

The practice of promoting all students without terminal examinations has been successfully in vogue in primary classes of CBSE-affiliated schools.

However, this does not exempt middle school kids from assessment. Class tests and small unit tests will be tools to assess and evaluate them and put them through a process of continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE). But such evaluation will not be prolonged affairs. The syllabus of each subject will be divided into small portions so that kids are first thoroughly prepared on each topic and then assessed on their level of understanding.

The Board has framed a circular to this effect and is in the process of sending it to its schools across the country. Many schools are already preparing for the new system.

Report cards not to mention `pass' or `fail'
CBSE has decided that those studying in Classes VI to VIII will not have to take terminal exams and all students will be promoted to the next class.