Unfazed by criticism from political rivals and reported reservations from within his party,HRD Minister Kapil Sibal stuck to the agenda of education reforms,saying government will set in motion a consultation process with the aim of making Class-X board exam in CBSE optional by 2010. However,he appeared to be having second thoughts on the proposal for a single national board for 12th examination. Sibal,whose announcement on reforms has created a nation-wide debate,told reporters that the government will evolve a consensus on the issue by talking to parents,students,CBSE teachers and school managements "very soon". "If we evolve a consensus,the Class-X exam could well be optional by 2010 in CBSE schools. But nothing will be done without taking people on board. It is not that we will push something down somebody's throat. We have no intent," he said,clarifying his ministry's 100-day agenda announced by him earlier. Asked about the reported opposition in the Congress party to his proposals that were being done in a hurry,Sibal said "I will not (not) talk about the party. I do not want to make any remarks about the party. I respect them (leaders). They themselves say they have not said this". Making it clear that the announcements were policy and legislative initiatives,Sibal said "it is not that all would fructify. But actionable initiatives would be taken". He said efforts are on to introduce grading system in CBSE class-X examination from 2010. Sibal said that the proposal to have one-board-one- exam system is not on the agenda of the ministry as introduction of uniform examination may not be possible due to difference in quality of examination in state boards. "Unless the quality is improved,the state boards cannot affiliate to a uniform system. I did not say there would be one-board-one-exam system," he said. Reacting to former HRD Minister M M Joshi's criticism of the 100-day plan,Sibal said,"let them say education system is satisfactory now. Though the proposals are not in a hurry,reactions were in a hurry. But there is no hurry from my side. By and large,there is enormous support to plan for the reforms," he said. He said "we will do what is right. We will not do without dialogue or debate. What we do is what is right for the children". Elaborating the plan for doing away with Class-X exam,he said this proposal has been pending since long. The National Curriculum Framework,2005,has spoken about such measure. The NCERT focus group on examination reforms has also supported the idea in 2006.
