Look Beyond Exams
Don't make the Class X board compulsory again, it will spike dropout rates
Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar says his government will reintroduce the compulsory Class X board exam for CBSE schools next year. This will require an amendment to the RTE Act that made the exam optional in 2010. But it bears reminding that the goal of making the Class X exam optional (alongside introducing the no-detention provision) was to ensure universal education up to at least Class XII. And there has been progress towards this goal insofar as school enrolment has dramatically deepened across the country . Reintroduction of the compulsory Class X board will encourage children to drop out of the system again.When this board exam was made optional and a no-fail policy up to Class VIII introduced, it was alongside the institution of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation. Different states complain that learn ing outcomes have deteriorated since then, but they are scapegoating the policy for their own failure to imple ment it properly . Schools and teachers have failed in proper student assess ments so essential for improving learning outcomes. Surely students shouldn't be punished for the failures of their teachers and government.
Maharashtra has argued that states should be given independence to follow school policies of their choice.Indeed the Centre micromanages education too much. Consider its plan to set up 20 world class universities, as if it has magical powers to materialise an Indian Harvard out of thin air. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said these universities will have complete autonomy in academic, administrative and financial matters. That his government recognises that such autonomy is essential to creating world class universities is a welcome first step. But then surely it should go ahead and confer it on all universities, and then let them duke it out in free and fair competition. World class universities can only arise out of such an overall ecosystem, rather than by fiat.Autonomy should not be the privilege of a chosen few.
Likewise at school level the aim must be to improve learning outcomes to all, instead of only those students who can leap high exam walls. Here the voice of states that support the no-fail scheme is vital. For example the Telangana suggestion is spot on strengthen Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation instead of amending RTE provisions that enable a child to learn without fear of failure, detention and stigma.
Source: Times of India, 16-11-2016
Maharashtra has argued that states should be given independence to follow school policies of their choice.Indeed the Centre micromanages education too much. Consider its plan to set up 20 world class universities, as if it has magical powers to materialise an Indian Harvard out of thin air. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said these universities will have complete autonomy in academic, administrative and financial matters. That his government recognises that such autonomy is essential to creating world class universities is a welcome first step. But then surely it should go ahead and confer it on all universities, and then let them duke it out in free and fair competition. World class universities can only arise out of such an overall ecosystem, rather than by fiat.Autonomy should not be the privilege of a chosen few.
Likewise at school level the aim must be to improve learning outcomes to all, instead of only those students who can leap high exam walls. Here the voice of states that support the no-fail scheme is vital. For example the Telangana suggestion is spot on strengthen Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation instead of amending RTE provisions that enable a child to learn without fear of failure, detention and stigma.
Source: Times of India, 16-11-2016
