The state government in its report on the National Education Policy, which is yet to be finalised by the Centre, has suggested that exams be held in all schools as students are neglecting studies. The report has also stated that the ‘No Exam’ claim is a misconception spread among parents.
The report poses 73 questions based on 14 themes that have been culled out from discussions right from village through taluka, district and state levels, the education department has stated. The state government in its suggestion advocates that continuous comprehensive evaluation (CCE) for students so that the marks of these regular tests can be added up for evaluation at the end of the year.
The department also maintained in its report that evaluation has been made formative and summative as per CCE and students are promoted with their performance in this system. They are of the opinion that the ‘No Exam’ claim has resulted in misconception among parents and students who are therefore neglecting their studies. They are not serious about education, stated the report.
The report further said that CCE is to be implemented effectively to aim at adequate results in the performance of the students. Students’ performance is affected due to negligence in studies and not because of CCE and at the same time, education department suggested that orientation of parents regarding CCE is required.
In an attempt to address the various concerns discussed in the report the state has advocated the need for engaging parents as partners in education. Strengthening parent-teacher associations, holding class-wise parents’ meetings, house visits by the teachers and using social media like WhatsApp, MMS, SMS to communicate progress of students to parents are some of the suggestions in the report. It has also espoused discussion of report cards with parents, implementation of open house concepts, increased participation of schools in social festivals and public reading (chawadi wachan) for uplift of the image of the schools and their students.
To encourage parents, school authorities should felicitate parents who send their children to school regularly, the report opined.
Education minister Vinod Tawde, however, said that the policy has not yet been finalised. “The state had organized debates in 32,000 villages and invited suggestions from education experts, principals, teacher and parent associations. This has happened for first time. I haven’t seen this in earlier governments,” said Tawde.