The board is of the opinion that the latest measure will not only reduce the burden of examinations but will also introduce activity-related learning among the students.

The decision is likely to be implemented in more than 10,000 schools in the board-affiliated schools from the next academic session.

“The project work will be for physical science, life sciences, history and geography,” said Mamata Roy, president of the WBBSE.

The schools located in remote areas and lacking the required infrastructure will, however, have an option to hold oral examinations, said a board official.

The project work will also be incorporated in the unit test at the end of the academic session. The board has replaced the last year’s system of eight unit tests followed by an annual examination with a set of five unit tests and an annual examination. In the new system, if a student does not perform well in two consecutive unit tests, he will be given a chance to appear for the supplementary unit tests.

The objective is to encourage the students to consult other books, visit various places and gather information from various sources. “Some students are exceptionally creative and innovative. The idea of project work is to encourage these students,” Roy said.

“We will have to orient the teachers so that they can help the students in the project work,” she added.