The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the establishment of a sub-regional office in Agartala, Tripura, following widespread concern over the poor performance of state-run, CBSE-affiliated schools in recent board examinations. This decision comes in response to the dismal pass rates in CBSE exams among students from the state’s Vidyajyoti Schools, where only 61% cleared the Class 10 exams and 59% passed the Class 12 exams this year.
In 2018, when the BJP assumed power in Tripura, the state government introduced the Vidyajyoti Schools initiative, converting 125 state-run schools to follow the CBSE curriculum in English. Previously, these schools functioned under the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) and conducted classes in Bengali. The language switch, alongside the adoption of a CBSE curriculum, aimed to align students with a national-level education standard. However, the recent results indicate that the transition has posed significant challenges.
The new CBSE office is expected to help address these challenges, providing localized support for schools and students to better navigate the demands of the CBSE curriculum. The state government has committed to allocating land for the office, which will initially operate from a building at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya. According to Abhijit Samajpati, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Education Department, this new office aims to strengthen the educational infrastructure and bring more support to CBSE-affiliated schools across Tripura.
Services offered by the Agartala CBSE office
The Agartala sub-regional office will offer an array of services specifically designed to assist schools, students, and teachers. Key services will include:
- Admission Assistance: Helping students navigate admission processes and fulfill required documentation.
- Subject Corrections and Student Record Updates: Providing support for correcting subject-related records and maintaining accurate student data.
- Exam Centre Coordination: Ensuring smooth coordination of exam centers, which is critical for fair and efficient examination processes.
- Mark Sheet Corrections: Facilitating corrections in mark sheets, a common requirement among students post-examination.
- Grievance Redressal: Addressing complaints and concerns from students, parents, and schools to enhance the educational experience.
- Teacher Training Facilitation: Offering training and resources for teachers to help them deliver the CBSE curriculum effectively.
In addition to direct support, the office will work closely with state education bodies and regional educational institutions, aligning their efforts with those of the Tripura Education Department to strengthen examination operations and promote student development.
Opposition and community reactions
The opposition has strongly criticized the introduction of CBSE’s English-medium curriculum in Vidyajyoti Schools, alleging that the change has hindered students’ performance. They argue that students, who had been studying in Bengali until Class 8, faced undue challenges when required to suddenly switch to English and tackle the more rigorous CBSE exams. Leaders from opposition parties have accused the state government of “playing with the future” of thousands of students, calling the poor exam results a “predictable disaster” due to the abrupt transition.
Many students and parents have echoed these sentiments, noting that students were inadequately prepared for the language shift. They argue that the government should have implemented a more gradual transition to ensure students had time to adapt to the new medium of instruction.
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Government’s justification and future plans
Despite the criticism, the Tripura government has defended the decision to introduce the CBSE curriculum, emphasizing its intention to equip students with a national-level education that would open doors to opportunities beyond the state. Officials have highlighted that the new CBSE office will play a crucial role in addressing the issues that have surfaced since the curriculum change. By providing resources, training, and support, the government believes that students and teachers can overcome initial challenges and improve academic outcomes in the coming years.
Samajpati emphasized that this initiative represents the government’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities across Tripura. “This CBSE office will foster a stronger educational environment and expand learning opportunities for students throughout the state,” he stated, expressing optimism that the support provided by the office will help bridge gaps and create a positive impact on future exam results.
The establishment of the CBSE sub-regional office in Agartala is seen as a significant step toward addressing the educational challenges faced by Tripura’s CBSE-affiliated schools. While the poor results in Vidyajyoti Schools have sparked debate and criticism, the state government remains focused on strengthening the CBSE curriculum implementation. Through this new support center, Tripura’s education system aims to better serve its students, helping them adapt and succeed under the national curriculum. As the office begins operations, stakeholders across the education sector are hopeful for improved outcomes in the coming academic sessions.
