Class XII exams must also be done away with: Sibal

After declaring that the class X board exams will be made optional, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal has told NDTV that eventually class XII board exams should also be done away with.

"Board exams are not the right measure of talent. Common entrance exams should decide admission in colleges," Sibal told NDTV.

The HRD Minister has also said that foreign universities may be asked to implement quotas in India, adding that IIMs and IITs must also change their curriculum.

Referring to the issue of affordability of education for poor students in India, Sibal told NDTV,  "The government is willing to look at vouchers for poor students to study in private schools."

"Private players will be allowed to make profit if money is reinvested in education," he added.

Earlier on Thursday, addressing a press conference, in a move that could revolutionise India's school education system, Sibal said that Class X board examinations will now become optional.

Outlining the government's 100-day plan for education, the minister said that class X boards are a source of tension for both parents and students and can easily be done away with, a final decision though will only be taken in consultation with state education boards.

"We will reform the examination system and we will make the class X examination optional. Since there are some universities that take students right after class X, those who take the pre-university exam will have to take the class X board exam while the others won't have to. Schools will evolve a system of assessment in such cases," said Sibal.

The minister also said there was also a need for one school board nationwide to replace the multiple state boards at present.