Explainer: Children wrote the copy, but the future has been handed over to a digital system!

New Delhi: The technology which was implemented to bring transparency and speed in the education system, now seems to be causing problems for millions of students. Questions have been raised across the country regarding CBSE’s On Screen Marking System i.e. OSM. The students allege that their hard work was not properly evaluated. At many places there were complaints of irregularities in marks, while at other places students claimed that they were given much less marks than expected. The anger of students and parents erupted on social media.

The matter escalated so much that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan himself had to come forward and give a statement. He said that the government will not shy away from responsibility for whatever irregularities have taken place. Now this controversy is not limited to results only, but has become a big question of trust in technology in the education system.

What is on screen marking system?

In the last few years, CBSE had implemented on-screen marking system to digitalize the process of checking copies. Under this system, the answer sheets of the students are scanned and uploaded on the digital platform. After this, the examiners sit at the computer screen and check the copies and the numbers are fed directly into the system. The board claimed that this will bring transparency in the examination of copies, human errors will be reduced and results can be released quickly.

The board also said that having digital records will make monitoring of each copy easier. This will prevent complaints like loss of copies or wrong numbers. CBSE had called it a big step towards modern changes in the education system.

Controversy from copies to screen

Earlier, examiners used to check copies by hand and numbers were added manually. Many times there were mistakes in totaling or errors in assigning numbers. To end this, digital system was introduced. But this time many students alleged that the copies did not open properly on the screen, some pages were missing or there were technical problems in the entry of numbers.

This is the reason why now the same system which was being described as the model of the future has come under controversy. Some students claim that the scans of the copies appeared blurry, due to which the answers could not be read clearly. At the same time, some teachers also admitted that constantly checking the copy on the screen increases fatigue. For this reason, new questions have now arisen on the credibility of digital assessment.

What problems did the students face?

The biggest complaint was regarding low numbers. Many such students came forward who had performed brilliantly in school and pre-board examinations, but got much less marks than expected in the board results. Some students claimed that they suddenly got very poor marks in the subjects in which they always got good marks. Many students said that the direction of their career changed because admission in good colleges became difficult due to the cutoff. Some students felt that their hard work was going in vain. Parents also said that children’s self-confidence has been badly affected by this controversy.

Students’ trust in the system broken

The number of people applying for rechecking also increased rapidly this time. Many students and parents said that they have faith in the hard work of the children, but their faith in the system has been broken. In some cases, students also alleged that the complete answers in the copy were not even checked. Technical problems also came to light due to sudden increase in traffic on the re-evaluation portal. Many students faced difficulty in filing complaints. This increased the anger even more because the students felt that the system was not even ready to listen to them.

Result becomes mental burden

The biggest impact of this entire controversy was on the mental condition of the students. After the poor results, many students went under stress and depression. Children who had prepared for competitive exams or college admissions faced fear about their future. Parents say that a technical mistake can cost a student’s career.

Psychologists say that board results already put mental pressure on students. In such a situation, when children see their hard work being questioned, their confidence starts to break. Many families have even started taking their children to counselling.

How did the anger erupt on social media?

As the result controversy escalated, the anger of students and parents started coming out openly on social media. Thousands of posts started going viral on X, Instagram and Facebook. While sharing their mark sheets, many students wrote, “We worked hard, but the numbers were decided by the system. Some posts became so viral that lakhs of people shared them. Students started running hashtags like #CBSERecheck and #JusticeForStudents. Soon this issue became not just an issue of education but a part of the national debate.

Video viral, system exposed

Some students made videos and showed their copies and old records. Parents raised the question that if the digital system is so reliable then why are such a large number of complaints being received. Coaching teachers and education experts also expressed concern over this matter. Some teachers also said that technology is certainly useful, but it cannot be a complete substitute for human evaluation. Many coaching institutes raised questions on the results by comparing the students with their past performance. This deepened the dispute further.

Technology increased tension

Education experts say that technology can definitely be helpful, but the entire education system cannot be left at the mercy of machines alone. Many people also said that a small technical error in the digital system can affect the future of millions of students. This is the reason why the debate of “future versus system” broke out on social media.

Now this debate is not limited to CBSE only, but questions are being raised on the education policy of the entire country. People are asking whether the hard work and confidence of the students are being left behind in the race of speed and digitalization. This is the reason why this issue remains at the center of constant discussion.

CBSE’s cleanliness and system side

After the controversy increased, a clarification came out from CBSE. The board said that the on-screen marking system is completely safe and transparent. The board claims that the examination of copies is monitored at many levels and every entry is monitored. CBSE also said that in some cases technical error or human error may be possible, but the idea of ​​system failure on a large scale is not correct.

According to board officials, lakhs of copies are examined every year and complaints are received in very few cases. However, this is not the first time that questions have been raised regarding on-screen marking. Even before this, controversies have arisen regarding digital assessment in some states and education boards. But this time the issue became bigger because a large number of students complained and it was raised strongly on social media.

Entry of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

As the controversy escalated, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan himself had to come forward. He said that every problem of the students is being taken seriously and the government will not shy away from responsibility for whatever irregularities have happened. Dharmendra Pradhan also said that every possible effort is being made to ensure that the students do not face any kind of problem. He has instructed the officials to investigate and improve.

After the minister’s statement, students and parents definitely got some relief, but questions still remain. The biggest thing was that for the first time the government accepted accountability in such an open manner. Earlier, technical glitches were often ignored as minor problems. But this time the matter became so big that the Education Minister himself had to come forward and assure.

What relief can students get now?

CBSE has indicated that students who have doubts about their marks will be given full opportunity for re-evaluation and rechecking. Apart from this, the possibility of re-investigation is also being expressed in some cases. Education experts say that if technical irregularities are proved to be on a large scale, the board may have to conduct a system audit. Some people are also expressing the possibility of grace marks,

However, no official decision has been taken on this yet. Parents demand that students should not be left to rely only on the technical process. Many experts are suggesting that along with the digital system, human monitoring should also be necessary so that injustice is not done to any student.

the biggest question

Now amidst all this controversy, the biggest question that has arisen is whether the digital system will be able to secure the future of the students? Technology has definitely made the education system faster and modern, but is it completely reliable? Many believe that technology is the future and digital assessment increases transparency. On the other hand, a section of students and parents believe that machines cannot understand hard work and emotions.

‘Big questions arising on digital system’

This dispute is not just about numbers. It is a question of the trust that millions of students and their families place in the education system. If the same trust starts breaking, then the biggest loss occurs to the entire system. Today, the discussion across the country is whether in the future, the future of the students will be decided by hard work or by some digital system running on the screen? Because the system which was supposed to create the future… has now put lakhs of students in the line of questioning.