KOLKATA: Ahead of the Board exams, CBSE has issued a circular stating that the evaluation system for Class XII will be based on the on-screen marking (OSM) system, while Class X evaluation will continue to follow the manual system. Although the circular said this method would make evaluation faster and error-free, several principals are concerned because the preparation time is very short.CBSE Class X and XII exams begin on Feb 17. While Class X exams will end on March 11, Class XII exams are scheduled to end on April 10. Affiliated schools have already received guidelines asking them to ensure readiness with a computer lab, the latest internet browser, and a reader. Schools were also asked to ensure proper internet connectivity and uninterrupted power supply.Principals have mixed reactions to the change in the evaluation system at the higher secondary level. Some said the new system would be faster than the manual system and would eliminate totalling errors, saving time.“We are working with an ever-evolving and dynamic Board, and we have to upgrade ourselves with time. If a school has the required infrastructure and the team is ready and willing to accept new changes, it can adapt accordingly. My school has proper infrastructure. It’s a matter of training, and we are taking it in a very positive spirit,” said Vijaylaxmi Kumar, principal, G D Goenka Public School, Dakshineswar.Bhavan’s GKV School principal Arun Dasgupta said introducing this system will save time, money, and manpower. “The system is going to do the addition and check whether all the questions are checked or not. So, the number of errors would be minimised and manpower would be saved. However, there will be a challenge because the system is new and it needs to be learned,” he added.