After receiving negative feedback from different schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has chosen to cease Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) for class 9 and 11 from this academic year.
The CBSE has decided to discontinue Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) as negative feedback has been received from schools about the system, board officials said.
“Based on discussion with various stakeholders the board has decided to withdraw OTBA from the Scheme of Studies in Classes IX and XI from the Session 2017-18 after we got feedback from schools that the system was hindering the development of critical abilities of students," a senior board official said.
OTBA was introduced by CBSE in Class IX for Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science and final examination of Class XI in a few subjects such as Economics, Biology and Geography from March, 2014.
Under OTBA, students were provided text materials four months in advance and they were allowed to carry the case studies during the examination.
The students were allowed to refer to their notes or textbooks while answering questions. The focus was not on rote-learning, but on applying that information critically.
(With inputs from PTI)
