HASSLE-FREE EXAM

New system will de-stress students

Manash Pratim Gohain | TNN

New Delhi: Now that there’s clarity over the Board exams being made optional from 2010-11 academic year, the focus has shifted on ways of evaluating students and ensuring that their learning doesn’t stop in the absence of an annual examination towards the end of Class X. A new system—Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)—was approved on Monday by high-powered Central Advisory Board of Education, to be implemented in all CBSE schools.

Under this system, students will be evaluated through formative and summative assessments throughout the academic year that will be divided into two terms. While formative assessment includes continuous evaluation throughout the year, summative assessment will require students to appear for exams at the end of each term (for details see graphic on page 1). Instead of marks, students will now be evaluated on a 9-point grading system–A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3 and D. Students will also get grades for their co-scholastic and learning skills as well, for which the modalities are under consideration. These grades would also be reflected in the report card.

CBSE chairman Vineet Joshi said, “Apart from de-stressing students, the newsystem would ensure that standards don’t fall. It would also encourage students to showcase their creative skills.’’ However, he said option of grade system will be available only to students who continue in the same school in class XI.

The idea behind the grading and the CCE system is to infuse a continuous learning process and understand that whatever he/she does like homework, classwork or the projects are important. However, with most schools already having adopted a system of weekly exams, apprehensions are being raised over the efficacy of CCE in bringing down the stress levels of students. Principal of Springdales, Pusa Road, Ameeta Mulla Wattal, said the CCE should not degenerate into a series of weekly tests. “There should be no space for evaluation through weekly tests in CCE. Evaluation should be done through regular activities a student does like home and class works, assignments and projects.’’