Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) published three pdf files on its website pseb.ac.in today. First is the scheme of studies, mark distribution, CCE schedule for class V (fifth). Second is the same for class VIII (eighth). Then the third is catalogue VI to VII 2019-20 syllabus.
Students and teachers can go to the website pseb.ac.in and download these important documents from under the latest news section. Whereas the class V document is only 29 pages long, the document for class VI to VII is 111 pages long, and class VIII document is 92 pages long.
Primary class, that is class fifth students need to appear in five compulsory subjects namely first language, second language, english, mathematics, environment education, health and physical education. The first and second language options are punjabi, hindi, urdu.
To pass, students need to get at least 33% marks in theory. No minimum marks are prescribed for CCE. However in aggregate of theory and CCE, students need to score 33%.
In middle school or class eighth, there are 8 compulsory subjects namely first language, second language, english, mathematics, science, social science, computer science, health and physical education. There are 12 choices in optional subject. They are urdu elective, sanskrit, agriculture, home science, cutting and tailoring, geo drawing and painting, music vocal, music instrumental, dance, needle work, practical art education, vocation.
For them the passing marks are 33% in theory, 33% in practical separately. Again there is no separate marks for CCE. However once again, the passing marks in aggregate of theory, CCE, practical is 33%.
The decision to introduce board exams for class 5th and 8th students was introduced from session 2019-2020. Earlier SCERT used to conduct the exams for these classes. However goofups were reported last year, such as students got Punjabi subject question paper on the day they had social studies exam. Such incidents ultimately led to the board deciding to take over matters in their hands.
However officially the reason cited for the change was amendment in RTE. The no detention policy has been amended now, as per which, students under class 8 cannot be failed. Moreover considering that PSEB is already experienced in holding exams at such scale, it would be more adept at doing so.
Since class V and VIII students earlier faced question papers set up by schools, and will now get question papers set by the board, the board has also uploaded model question papers at pseb.ac.in.
The scheme of studies contains in detail, topics under each subject, marks allotted, marking scheme, and so on. As per the marking scheme, it is clearly given that which question will be for how many marks.
Recently, the Punjab State Education Board conducted golden jubilee chance for students who could not clear exams in any year 2004 onwards. The last exam of this chance was held last week.
