The Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system that replaced examinations in the schools has became a bane for school teachers. Due to the system, teachers find themselves excessively involved in giving assignments and assessing them, rather than teaching the students. To remedy the situation, many schools have also resorted to hiring external agencies to get projects for students so that teachers can concentrate on teaching.
According to J.M. Abhyankar, former chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) and deputy director of education, the doing away of examinations has resulted in teachers becoming unaccountable. “Under the RTE, CCE replaced examinations, but as there is no fixed criteria or parameter to check on the performance of the child, the teachers do not pay much attention to the projects submitted by students under CCE,” said Mr Abhyankar.
Further, the replacement of marks with grades also creates confusion among the students as it becomes difficult to ascertain the child’s progress. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar pointed out the same and said that as grades take away the spirit of competition among students, children become complacent and find it difficult to compete at the highest level.
“There have been instances when parents have complained to us saying that students are reluctant to study for the CCE as they know that they will not be failed in a class regardless of their performance,” said Jayant Jain, president of All India Parents-Teachers’ Association. He added that exams were not only meant to assess the students’ rote skills but at times also ensured that students were learning what was being taught in class.
Speaking on the possibility of exams being restarted, Mr Abhyankar who also headed the education quality control cell, a semi-government agency, said that the government should take due care of the fact that the exams do not turn into rote-testing skills of the children. “A balance has to be struck between exams and evaluation. While CCE targets practical learning, exams will only test the memory of the students. Hence, the government should ensure that the aspect of practical learning is covered under the new initiative,” said Mr Abhyankar.
Due to the controversial nature of the comment by Mr Pawar, officials of all education departments preferred to refrain from commenting on it. Both, Mr Mahavir Mane, state director (primary education) and R.R. Bhise, education officer (BMC), were not reachable, while Krishna Patil of the MSBSHSE, Pune, said that conducting exams from Class 1 to 8 did not come under their purview.