Continuous evaluation gets thumbs up

NAGPUR: Although it is early days, the continuous evaluation system introduced by the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) is being seen as a step forward. Not without drawbacks, on balance, both students and teachers see the new system better than the previous one. Last year, the CBSE introduced the system for standard IX and X. This year, most of the CBSE schools in the city have applied the system to all their classes.Under continuous assessment, the students will be given grades instead of marks.
The teachers will also look for a variety of personality traits apart from such academic achievements.
The earlier system was mostly text book-oriented. It did not consider the non-academic abilities of the students. Now, the teacher has to give attention to the overall performance of a student. The extra-curricular activities are also considered and grades awarded accordingly.
Neeru Kapai, principal of Modern School, says this pattern would be really helpful to students. She said that it would also lead to a uniform pattern of education throughout the country. “Students face a lot of problems when it comes to transfer. It also takes time for them to adjust to a new system in the new school. This system will solve the problem,” she said.
On the other hand, Urvashi Yashroy, principal of Tuli Public School, pointed out that the system still had drawbacks. She emphasised that the teachers need to be very objective towards the students for the system to be successfully implemented. “It will also put a lot of pressure on children as they are continuously kept under magnifying glass. As there are marks even on personality, fair observation is of utmost importance,” she said.
The teacher needs to observe every student throughout the year. “It can be a tedious job,” says George Thadakil, principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya (Kamptee). He feels that this could be effectively done when the number of students in the class was bethey are evaluated then and there. I just wonder how these children will be able to cope with the higher studies and entrance examinations later,” she said.
Shreyas Manohar, a standard X student from Modern School, feels the new system has only increased the stress. “This system was supposed to reduce our stress, but it has done the opposite. Now we have to continuously monitor our own behaviour as our future is at the mercy of teachers. I miss the old system. But a good thing about this is that our concepts are getting clearer,” he added.
Ashna Minocha, another student, thinks this system has helped her clear a lot of doubts. She especially likes the multiple choice questions. About a fourth of questions are of this category. These questions are designed to test students’ conceptual clarity. Just mugging up is not the solution these days. Research has to be done too.
And with students constantly trying to be ‘good boys/girls’ in class, this system is likely to do more good than bad. It is being seen as first step towards radically changing the education. tween 30 to 35. “If there are more students, the whole purpose is defeated,” he added. Students are on cloud nine. One reason for that is that they have to study less. This CA system has gone a long way in lifting the academic pressure from their shoulders.
“Under this system the children have been given a lot of freedom,” said Pratima Shenoi, mother of Akshay, a standard X CBSE student. “They don’t even feel it is necessary to study now that be they are evaluated then and there. I just wonder how these children will be able to cope with the higher studies and entrance examinations later,” she said.
Shreyas Manohar, a standard X student from Modern School, feels the new system has only increased the stress. “This system was supposed to reduce our stress, but it has done the opposite. Now we have to continuously monitor our own behaviour as our future is at the mercy of teachers. I miss the old system. But a good thing about this is that our concepts are getting clearer,” he added.
Ashna Minocha, another student, thinks this system has helped her clear a lot of doubts. She especially likes the multiple choice questions. About a fourth of questions are of this category. These questions are designed to test students’ conceptual clarity. Just mugging up is not the solution these days. Research has to be done too.
And with students constantly trying to be ‘good boys/girls’ in class, this system is likely to do more good than bad. It is being seen as first step towards radically changing the education.