CBSE class X toppers against grades

It was a move aimed at alleviating stress and reducing student suicides. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), for the first time, presented its class 10 results based on a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) system, in place of the existing percentage-based one.

There was, however, unanimity among the city toppers that the move is a setback for the most meritorious of the lot.

After the results were out on Friday, there was widespread confusion among students and parents alike, on where exactly one stood in the school and city merit list.

“The grade system says that a student scoring between 81 and 90 in a particular subject scores an ‘A2’ grade, while those with 91 and above are elevated to ‘A1’. Isn’t it unfair then, that a student scoring 90 is put in the same category as one with 81,” complained Deep Patel from Maharaja Agrasen School, who is totally opposed to the grade system. He scored a CGPA of 9.8 - as did 10 other students from his school. “And we have no idea who among us performed best,” he rued.

Divya Daur, mother of Vatsala Daur who also stood at 9.8, said, “A student with 89 or 90 is at level A2. But at 91, just one notch above, you’re A1. Just one mark here or there changes your grade enormously. And ironically, a student with a score of 81, nine marks below 90, will still be in the same category as the student with 90 marks. It is absolutely unfair.”

There were, of course, some who elaborated on the pros of the grade system. Grades in place of marks would help curb suicides, pointed out Aheli Das.

Besides, “an ‘A’ sounds better than a score of 79-80”, said Divya Khandelwal from Rachana School.  The overwhelming sentiment though, was that the competitive edge that toppers look for, was lost.