With just a month to go, Government schools in Madhya Pradesh have been pushed into a race against time for the half-yearly examinations for Classes 9 to 12. According to the latest timetable issued by the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI), examinations for Class 11 and 12 will commence from November 18, while Class 9 and 10 exams will begin from November 21. The exams are set to be held in all Government and Government-aided schools across the State. The challenge, however, is academic preparedness. Official review indicates that only about 40% of the syllabus has been completed so far in most schools.

 

Taking note of the lag, the School Education Department has directed all District Education Officers to conduct extra classes and intensive revision. Teachers have been asked to complete the pending syllabus in record time. For the first time, exams will be conducted in two shifts. Classes 9 and 10 will appear in the morning shift from 10 am to 1 pm, while Classes 11 and 12 will take exams from 2 pm to 5 pm. The vacant shift will be used for preparation of the next day’s paper. As per new guidelines, students must reach the centre 30 minutes before the exam. Answer sheets will be given 10 minutes early and question papers five minutes before the start.