Bhubaneswar, Aug 27 - Orissa does not want class 10 board exams to be made optional, a state minister said here Thursday.

The decision, if implemented, will be applicable to all Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools from the next academic year (2010-11).

The Human Resource Development Ministry, after weeks of debate, recently said it will implement a grading system for Class 10 students. Schools will be able to use an aptitude exam to test students on their level of understanding in each subject.

Students, however, will not be given marks. They will only be awarded grades, the ministry said.

'We do not want to introduce the grade system. We want the present board examination system to continue,' Pratap Jena, state school and mass education minister, told IANS.

'It is because of the board examination that students and teachers are serious. They have competitive feeling. If we introduce the grade system, they will lose this spirit. We want more discussion on this,' he maintained.

'We have not yet received any communication from the central government about the proposed change. However, we have already decided to oppose it,' Jena said.