Practical examinations for Class XI and XII could become a biannual or quarterly
process.
Instead of one term-end assessment, practical examinations
for Class XI and XII could become a biannual or quarterly process. The Central Board
of Secondary Education (CBSE) is planning to introduce a continuous and comprehensive
evaluation (CCE) schedule, where in the year end practical examination will be divided
into periodic assessment, periods with each evaluation accounted for when the final
marks are given. A group led by CBSE consultant, R P Sharma is working out the modalities
to implement the CCE system as the Board is likely to introduce this system for
Class XI from the 2012-13 academic session and in class XII from 2013-14. As of
now practical exams comprise of 30 marks and are decided at a single term-end exam.
The plan is to make the exercise periodic and evaluate students probably on a quarterly
basis.
“The CCE is a means to record how much students have learnt in their practicals
on a continuous basis. This is primarily to focus on the importance of practical
exams, which are not taken seriously by students during the whole year”, said Sharma.
Students will have to identify various topics and complete research or project work
which will be evaluated during the assessment period just like any other term-end
exam. Apart from school teachers, an external teacher from the CBSE will monitor
the process. According to CBSE officials, the Board decided to implement the CCE
process for practical’s following feedback it received which alleged that students
don’t actually learn anything during practical’s and schools simply dole out marks
at the end of the year. “The problem with term-end practical exams is that students
focus only on the theory part of the exam while ignoring the practical’s”, said
a CBSE official.
Courtesy: Times of India
