Shillong: The Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) sparked widespread backlash by moving the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations to December. Parents and teachers warn that the compressed schedule forces schools to complete the entire syllabus by October. This leaves almost no time for necessary revision or complex lessons. Educators argue that the board is pushing to finish pages rather than ensuring student comprehension.
One teacher noted the mounting pressure, stating, "the board course would have to be raced through, with schools pushed to finish pages rather than make sure students had understood them." The lack of official detail regarding the move remains a major point of friction. Stakeholders are demanding written explanations from the board regarding the specific timetable, re-evaluation protocols, and supplementary exam dates.
The shift also complicates the transition to Class XI. A December finish leaves students with a three to four-month gap before higher secondary studies begin. Students aiming for institutions outside Meghalaya face a deeper crisis, as external schools typically open in June or July. Families fear that the calendar mismatch will leave local students stranded while they wait for results from CBSE or CISCE boards. Until the board provides a concrete plan for the curriculum and the gap period, opposition to the December timeline persists.
Updated at 17th September 2026 at 5:46pm
The MBOSE justifies the shift by claiming an earlier exam frees up months for students to pursue vocational, technical, or diploma programs. Officials also argue it allows struggling students a faster path to supplementary exams, saving them from writing off a full academic year.
Critics remain unconvinced, noting that the board has failed to engage with external institutions to synchronize calendars. Parents are demanding the board mediate with CBSE and CISCE schools to ensure local students are not left hanging during admissions season. Educators also warn that the long gap between a December finish and the start of Class XI threatens to blunt study habits before students even reach the next level.
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