Central Board of Secondary Education has directed its affiliated schools in Karnataka not to begin Classes 10 and 12 before April 1, reiterating that the academic session must strictly run from April 1 to March 31. The instruction was issued by the Board's Bengaluru regional office.

In a recent circular, CBSE flagged that several schools were winding up Classes 9 and 11 by February and immediately starting the next academic year for board classes, nearly two months in advance. The Board noted that some institutions were "forcing" students to attend Classes 10 and 12 during what should be their summer vacation.

Compressed coursework leads to stress

Quoting its 2023 directive, CBSE cautioned that compressing coursework into a shortened academic window can overwhelm students, increasing the risk of anxiety and burnout. Principals were advised to adhere strictly to the notified academic calendar and avoid advancing the session under any circumstances.

Schools cite heat, syllabus pressure

However, school heads in Bengaluru have flagged practical challenges. They argue that running full-fledged academic sessions in April is difficult due to the harsh summer in South India. According to them, the April-March calendar is more suited to North Indian states.

"CBSE must allow schools to customise timelines based on their location," the principal of a prominent CBSE school in Bengaluru has said, adding that if schools delay starting Classes 10 and 12 until June, it becomes difficult to complete the syllabus in time and ensure adequate preparation for board examinations.

High stakes for Karnataka students

The directive comes at a time when board numbers remain significant in the state. Last year, nearly 94,000 students registered for Class 10 board examinations and around 22,000 for Class 12 in Karnataka.

By reinforcing the April 1 start date, CBSE has made it clear that academic discipline and student well-being will take precedence over institutional scheduling preferences, even as schools in Bengaluru push for regional flexibility.