Jammu, Aug 23 - Board examinations for Class 3 and 5 students? That's what the Jammu and Kashmir government is thinking of introducing in order to improve education standards even as the central government has proposed to abolish Class 10 exams conducted by state education boards.

While most teachers are aghast at the suggestion, saying it will increase the burden on little children, the education department believes holding more board examinations will help improve results in government schools and make teachers accountable.

'It has been proposed that these examinations should be held at the level of Class 3 and 5 with the aim of making teachers accountable for the results and also raising the standards of students,' a senior officer of the education department told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, who had disagreed with union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal's proposal to abolish Class 10 students, had pledged that he would take measures to make 'teachers accountable'.

'This step is in that direction,' the official said.

In state-run schools, results are poor and the dropout rate is high while private schools have been doing exceedingly well.

Private schools and their managements have come out against this 'draconian' proposal.