CBSE's On-Screen Marking System Encounters Minor Hiccups During Indore Practice Phase
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced an on-screen marking system for evaluating Class 12 board examination answer sheets, with initial practice sessions in Indore revealing minor technical hiccups. The digital assessment process is scheduled to commence next week, following trial exercises designed to familiarize teachers with the new platform.
Teachers Adapt to Digital Evaluation Amid Initial Challenges
As part of the preparation, examiners received sample answer sheets to practice checking copies on computers, moving away from the conventional manual method. During this testing stage, some teachers reported that the process initially took more time as they adapted to reading handwritten responses on a screen and navigating the digital interface. While experienced evaluators were able to assess a sample copy within 20 to 30 minutes, others noted that their first attempt took longer, ranging from about 1 hour to nearly 90 minutes.
Teachers emphasized that the additional time was largely due to adjusting to the new format rather than difficulties with the answers themselves. Many examiners believe the time required to check copies will reduce significantly once they gain familiarity with the digital process.
Technical Issues and Feedback for System Streamlining
A few evaluators faced brief delays during online registration, as one-time passwords were not received immediately. In such cases, the board resent login links to ensure teachers could complete registration and proceed with practice sessions. Teachers shared feedback about these early experiences through their schools, aiming to further streamline the system before large-scale evaluation work begins.
CBSE city coordinator UK Jha stated that the practice exercise was designed to help teachers get comfortable with the system before actual evaluation starts. "Once teachers use the platform regularly, the time required to assess each copy will come down considerably," he said.
New Evaluation Process Details and Implementation
Each evaluator will be issued ID passwords for on-screen evaluation work through dedicated software. Additionally, no hard copies of answer sheets will be sent to evaluation centres as in previous years; instead, the board will share scanned answer sheets with individual evaluators. This shift aims to enhance efficiency and reduce logistical challenges associated with physical paper handling.
The on-screen marking system represents a significant step towards digital transformation in educational assessment, with ongoing adjustments expected to optimize performance as teachers become more adept with the technology.
