PARAKH – the standard-setting body of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) – is now pressing the Union Education Ministry to push the state governments for a formal green light on proceeding with the pursuit of equivalence across school boards as per the recommendations of the report they published a while ago.
This report, published in the previous month, brought out the fact that there are differences in the academic achievement indices of students who are under the different state boards of education in the country. The recommendations intend to resolve these gaps and are also in line with the recommendations of the NEP and NCF-SE.
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Hurdles in Execution
Although state boards appear “ready” to adopt the suggestions, they still lack the necessary official endorsement that state governments must give. This is because education falls under the ‘concurrent list’ in the constitution, giving a right for the central government as well as for the state governments. NCERT is seeking the Ministry of Education to support its advocacy campaign and help obtain state acceptance of the document.
The report points out the need for a change from conventional assessment into more balanced assessment. Some of these major recommendations include the following:
- Cumulative Assessment: When the Class 12 board assessments are undertaken, consider the performance in classes 9, 10, and 11.
- Demand Based Exams: Shift from rote learning to deeper comprehension of the subject matter.
- Professional Paper Setters: Create a permanent cell for preparation of standardized question papers for classes 9 to 12.
- Question Banks: For the end year assessments of classes 9 and 11 establish question banks for uniformity.
Looking Ahead
The implementation part appears to be very difficult. This would be very burdensome in standardizing these reforms on the 59 school boards- three national boards and several state boards inclusive. State boards such as Punjab School Education Board states that notification shall be in the hands of higher authorities and then issues further.
Positive Steps
State boards have been involved in the PARAKH’S Mental Model in order to review the recommendations and their incorporation in classroom practices. Formal integration has not yet commenced, nevertheless these workshops are regarded as good moves towards the direction of obtaining reform.
Financial Considerations
Many Organizations Especially J H Zoremthanga, Chairperson Mizoram Board of School Education are focusing on how these reforms will be financially worked out. While they intend to commence with question banks as recommended, addressing the issue of finances is important.
Conclusion
The appeal made by NCERT for a national position towards education assessment is further expected to benefit students in India through a standardised and complete learning approach. However, managing the intricacies of a country’s educational system, as they intend to do, is going to take time as gaining approvals at the state level is likely to be a slow process.