DOHA: The pass and fail system in Indian schools here as well as ranking of students based on marks obtained in the examinations will come to an end very soon, as the New Delhi-based Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is introducing the grading system in Classes IX and X beginning the current academic year.

The grading system is in line with CBSE’s decision to abolish board examinations in Class X from the next academic year.

Indian schools here have already started preparations to introduce the key reforms. They have issued circulars to students and parents explaining the new system, while orientation programmes for teachers are currently on in most schools.

“There is a set of guidelines for teachers on how to evaluate a student in the new system. They can not just decide the grades on their whims and fancies,” said A K Srivastava, principal of the Birla Public School.

CBSE has decided to introduce a nine point grading system for classes IX and X. In this system, a student’s performance will be assessed using conventional numerical marking mode, and the same will be later converted into the grades on the basis of the pre-determined marks ranges as detailed below : 91-100- A1; 81-90- A2; 71-80- B1; 61-70- B2; 51-60 C1; 41-50 C2; 33-40 D; 21-32 E1; 20 and below E2.

The grading system is expected to minimise misclassification of students on the basis of marks and eliminate unhealthy cut-throat competition among high achievers.

“Only Subject wise grades shall be shown in the “Statement of Subject wise Performance” to be issued to all candidates. The practice of declaring Compartment/ Fail shall be discontinued. Those candidates who obtain the qualifying grades (D and above) in all the subjects excluding Additional subject shall be awarded a Qualifying Certificate,” CBSE said a recent posting on its website.

Those candidates who have obtained grade E1 or E2 in the subject shall have to improve their performance through subsequent five attempts.

For example, a candidate who appeared in Board’s examination in March 2010 can appear in July 2010, March 2011, July 2011, March 2012 and July 2012 only in subjects in which he/she has got grade E1 or E2 till he/she gets qualifying grades (D and above) in all the subjects excluding Additional subject

Those who get Qualifying Certificates shall be eligible for admission in higher classes. Those candidates who are not able to get qualifying grades (D and above) in all the subjects excluding Additional subject a shall not be permitted for admission in Class XI.

CBSE has urged the students and parents to forward their queries about the new system to the Board. A compilation of such issues, and solutions offered by the Board in the form of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) will be soon available on the CBSE website.