Annual exams may be back in schools
The annual examinations in schools, that had been suspended by several school boards for the past few years, could be back soon. The Niti Aayog has in a report to the human resources development ministry asked it to look at the option of re-introducing the annual exams.
Some boards had stopped the practice of annual exams and evaluation of students from Class 1 to Class 8 for promotion to a higher class was done through a continuous and comprehensive evaluation system, that was conducted on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.
The Aayog’s suggestions are only recommendatory, and ministry sources said they would be studied. A process of consultation was likely with all stakeholders. The Aayog has also urged the introduction of a state-of-the-art sample-based outcome measurement system.
The Niti Aayog has also called for the introduction of a state-of-the-art sample-based outcome measurement system
Annual examinations in schools, which had been suspended by several schools boards for the last few years, could be back soon. The Niti Ayog has in its recommendations to the human resource development ministry asked the government to look at options of re-introducing annual examinations in schools.
Some boards had stopped the practice of annual exams and evaluation of students from Class 1 to Class 8 for promotion to a higher class was done through a continuous and comprehensive evaluation system, that was conducted on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis.
“The states should begin by devising their learning indicators and planning a state-level measurement system for every child,” the recommendation said.
“It requires states to prepare class-wise, subject-wise learning outcomes for all elementary classes and devise guidelines for putting into practice continuous and comprehensive evaluation to achieve the defined learning outcomes,” it added. The recommendation was made in a three year draft action plan released by the government think-tank recently.
In a longer to medium term such a system would help build a capacity for more comprehensive assessment, it said. The Aayog has also called for the introduction of a state-of-theart sample-based outcome measurement system, it adds.
It is understood that these suggestions by the Niti Aayog are only recommendatory in nature. Sources said that these recommendations would be studied and a consultation process is also likely with stakeholders after which a decision on the issue would be taken.