Sakina Itoo Breaks Silence on Class 11th Board Exam Confusion in J&K
Srinagar, Oct 3: Just a day after reports created a buzz that Jammu and Kashmir might do away with the Class 11th board examination, the Education Minister, Sakina Itoo, has stepped in to clear the air. She has confirmed that the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will continue to hold Class 11th annual exams as usual, putting an end to the growing speculation among students and parents.
Only yesterday, the Union Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Sanjay Kumar, during his visit to Srinagar, had suggested that J&K should reconsider the idea of holding a board exam for Class 11th students. His remarks quickly spread across the Valley, leading to confusion about whether the government would bring back the old system of school-level exams. The suggestion, according to him, was meant to reduce pressure on students and give schools more flexibility.
However, the Education Minister has now made it clear that this proposal is not being accepted. “There should be no confusion among the students. Exams for Class 10th, 11th, and 12th will continue to be conducted by JKBOSE as per the practice in vogue,” Sakina Itoo said. She also praised the Board for conducting exams in a transparent and time-bound manner, calling it a system that works well and does not require change.
This is not the first time the question of Class 11th exams has come up. In the past, Class 11th examinations were conducted internally at schools. But the system soon drew criticism because many students were found not taking the exams seriously. As a result, their performance in Class 12th and in competitive exams suffered. To address this issue, the government in 2018 under the then Education Minister Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari decided to reintroduce the Class 11th board exam. The move was welcomed by teachers and parents at the time, as it helped instill seriousness among students.
The fresh debate began only after Sanjay Kumar’s high-level review meeting in Srinagar earlier this week, where he pressed for reforms in school education, including doing away with the Class 11th board exam. While his suggestion grabbed headlines, the Education Minister’s response has now settled the matter—at least for the near future.
For thousands of students preparing for their upcoming exams, this announcement brings clarity. They will continue with the same system of board examinations for Classes 10th, 11th, and 12th. Officials have also stressed that JKBOSE is doing a commendable job, ensuring exams are held on time, results are declared fairly, and the process remains transparent.
FAQs on Class 11th Exam Confusion
Q1: Will Class 11th board exams be scrapped in J&K?
No. The Education Minister has confirmed that Class 11th exams will continue to be conducted by JKBOSE.
Q2: Why was there speculation about scrapping the exam?
Union Secretary DoSEL, Sanjay Kumar, suggested during his Srinagar visit that J&K should reconsider holding Class 11th board exams.
Q3: Did students ever have school-level exams for Class 11th?
Yes, earlier the exams were held at school level. But the system was found weak because students were not taking them seriously.
Q4: Who brought back the Class 11th board exam system?
In 2018, then Education Minister Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari reintroduced the board exam for Class 11th.
Q5: Why are Class 11th exams important?
They help students prepare for Class 12th and competitive exams like NEET, JEE, and CUET by building exam discipline.
Q6: What did Sakina Itoo say about JKBOSE?
She praised the board, saying it conducts exams in a foolproof manner and declares results on time.
Q7: Will Class 10th and 12th exams face any changes?
No. The Education Minister confirmed that Class 10th, 11th, and 12th exams will continue without any changes.
Q8: What happens next?
For now, the exam structure remains the same. Any further changes, if considered, would come only after detailed consultations, but as of now, no change is planned
