– Ravi Prakash
A controversy surrounding the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system has intensified across the country, with students and parents raising serious concerns over alleged discrepancies in evaluation and demanding greater transparency in the assessment process.
For several months, students have been alleging that the marks awarded to them do not reflect their actual performance in examinations. Thousands of students have reportedly applied for re-evaluation, claiming that there is a significant mismatch between their answers and the marks they received. The growing dissatisfaction has also prompted protests and public demonstrations by parents in several regions.
The issue took a new turn after a report by Hindustan Times alleged that CBSE regional offices had circulated a document titled “Material for Principals” to school heads. According to the report, the document contained communication material aimed at promoting the On-Screen Marking system on social media platforms.
The report claimed that principals were provided with ready-made scripts and communication guidelines encouraging them to create videos, reels, and social media content highlighting the benefits of the OSM system and asserting that the evaluation process was free from errors.
Soon after the circulation of the alleged document, several school principals and students from different parts of the country reportedly began posting videos on social media defending the On-Screen Marking system. Observers noted that many of these videos featured similar language, messaging patterns, hashtags, and narratives, leading to allegations of a coordinated communication campaign.
The controversy has raised questions about accountability, with critics arguing that while students were seeking explanations regarding their marks, the focus appeared to shift towards defending the evaluation system through social media outreach.
Among the institutions cited in reports was a prominent DPS school in Siliguri, whose principal released a video supporting the On-Screen Marking system and reassuring students about the credibility of the evaluation process.
Similar videos were also reportedly released by the principal of Shreya Devi Maheshwari Vidyapeeth, who used comparable themes and hashtags while endorsing the system.
Further examples highlighted in reports included New Era School in Vadodara, Gujarat, and KR Mangalam World School in Delhi. Despite being located in different regions and operating under different managements, the videos allegedly carried nearly identical messaging in support of the CBSE evaluation mechanism.
The campaign reportedly extended beyond these institutions, with videos emerging from schools such as Miles Bronson School and Singhania Education Centre. Reports indicated that more than a dozen such videos surfaced online within a short period, reinforcing allegations of a coordinated public relations exercise.
The controversy further expanded after students from northeastern states, including Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, also appeared in videos praising the On-Screen Marking system. Critics questioned the timing of these videos, particularly when large numbers of students elsewhere were expressing dissatisfaction with their evaluation results.
Another significant development emerged from PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Gondia, where reports claimed that school staff had received a pre-prepared script related to the promotion of the OSM system. The alleged existence of such material has intensified speculation that schools may have been provided with detailed instructions regarding the content, messaging, and presentation of social media videos.
The developments have shifted the debate beyond the issue of marks and re-evaluation, bringing broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and institutional communication practices into focus.
Students who have questioned the evaluation process continue to seek clarification regarding alleged discrepancies in marking and are demanding greater transparency from the board. Parents have also called for a thorough review of the concerns raised by students and a detailed explanation of the evaluation methodology.
Critics argue that instead of focusing on perception management and promotional campaigns, the priority should be addressing student grievances through transparent mechanisms and ensuring confidence in the examination and evaluation process.
While acknowledging that no evaluation system is entirely free from errors, education stakeholders have stressed the importance of investigating complaints, addressing legitimate concerns, and strengthening accountability measures wherever necessary.
The controversy continues to generate widespread debate, with students, parents, educators, and education experts calling for clear answers regarding the implementation of the On-Screen Marking system and the allegations surrounding the reported social media campaign.