Board exams

During our entire schooling the two years when we sit for the CBSE exams in classes 10th and 12th are labeled as "crucial" years. I remember being reminded time and again how important the numbers on our mark sheets were, how our final percentages would completely shape our lives and how if we studied hard in these two years our future would be set. I can say for myself that I absolutely believed this. And it seems that people still hold this notion.

Last week the day after the class 10th results were announced there were interviews of students who had topped and even those who nearly topped. A boy said that he was 50% happy and 50% disappointed with his marks because he missed coming first in his school by a mere 0.80%. Shouldn't a 0.8% difference have made him only 0.8% less happy? Instead of celebrating that he has come second amongst hundreds, he is brooding that he didn't come first!!

Of course the boy is yet to discover that his 10th class pass certificate will be come useful only as a proof of age. Nobody will ask him when he takes up a job how many marks he scored.

One's class 12th percentage perhaps make somewhat of a difference. Colleges admit students who have attained marks above or equal to a certain cut-off. But how many of us eventually continue in the same stream as our graduation subjects? And did all those who didn't receive "good marks" in school become utter failures later on? Clearly not.

Not only the students but their parents need to realize this as well. Sometimes it is the parents who generate the competitive heat from the very beginning. Once my sister's friend came second in her final exams when she was in class 6th. The mother of the boy who came first congratulated her jubilantly saying "Thanks for coming second!"

I guess what I am trying to say is this that its high time the myth around these so called crucial years was dispelled. It would surely bring down the stress levels for the youngsters. Always close on the heels of Board exam results being announced we come across news of kids committing suicide because they were disgruntled with their performance. Teachers and parents must help release the high voltage tension by making children realize that poor exam results are not life altering nor are they reflective of their capabilities or character. There is nothing wrong in wanting to become a winner as long as that doesn't become the be all and end all.