Stress is optional

Kapil Sibal’s proposal to make the Class X board exams optional to relieve stress needs reconsidering (“Against odds, plan to make exam optional”, June 27). Perhaps he could learn a lesson from the Kerala education minister, M.A. Baby. Baby has introduced the grade-system in Kerala at the secondary level, reducing the value of these certificates. Almost all the Class X and XII candidates pass the examinations. However, when they appear for their medical or engineering examinations, they are put under sudden stress. No competition upto the age of 17, followed by stiff competition immediately afterwards, ends up not making much of a difference to the stress on the students.


K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha
The Telegraph, Calcutta 1July 2009