SSC aptitude test to be taken on smartphones: Maharashtra Education board

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education introduced an aptitude test for SSC students in 2016. However, this year, students will have to appear for that aptitude test on their smartphones. The move has not gone down well with the school teachers and principals. According to teachers, not all students have smartphones. The matter has worried authorities enough for the city's school principals' association to approach the Board.

The aptitute test will begin on December 18. The education department has come up with a mobile application not only for students to write the test, but also for teachers to assess their performance.

According to the teachers, results of students will have to be fed to the app from personal mobile phones. They have claimed that every teacher does not have a smartphone.

A principal of a school in the western suburbs said, "On one hand it is a big challenge to keep children off mobile phones and on the other hand such activities only make the challenge harder to tackle. Secondly, most parents do not own smartphones. One issue will lead to another."

Another principal and secretary from the city's principals' association said, "Not all students have smartphones. We are wondering how the aptitude test for SSC students can be conducted on phones. Until last year, the aptitude test was conducted on computers. The board should have kept both the options open — of phones and computers. Teachers are being trained for the assessment part. Not all teachers have smartphones or internet facility. The organisation has decided to approach board officials over this issue."