‘No written test till class 2, 3 streams removed’: NCF draft for schools

The draft states that categorical tests and examinations are completely inappropriate assessment tools for the foundational stage (preschool to class 2).

The draft mentions that over the years of development, written examinations There will be unnecessary burden on the children.

“Assessment must allow for diversity among children and in their learning. Children learn differently and express their learning differently. Teachers have the flexibility to design different types of assessment for the same learning outcome. Must have the ability to make and make appropriate use of each assessment.

“Children’s progress should be described and analyzed through systematic collection of evidence. The assessment should not contribute to any additional burden for the child,” it said.

NCF on Classes 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12

Describing evaluation for the preparatory stage (Classes 3 to 5), the draft recommends that “written tests should be introduced at this stage”.

Draft prepared by a panel headed by K Kasturirangan, former ISRO chief, suggest that at the middle stage (grades 6 to 8), the focus of the curriculum should be on conceptual understanding and higher order abilities.

At the secondary stage (Classes 9 to 12), the panel has stressed that comprehensive classroom assessment should be practiced effectively to facilitate meaningful learning and formative feedback. Regular summative assessment should be conducted to record students learning against competencies.

Board exams divided into two parts

As per the draft, the board exams may return for class 12 in term two and the marks of the previous class will be taken into account in the final result of class 10 and 12. National Curriculum Framework (NCF),

The NCF also proposes to do away with the current practice of bifurcating streams into science, arts or humanities and commerce for classes 11 and 12.

While the draft NCF proposes two term exams for what it calls “modular board exams” for classes 11 and 12, it suggests that bifurcating the calendar for classes 9 and 10 is “unnecessary”.

Eight courses for classes 9-12

As per NEP 2020, the secondary stage will consist of four years of multidisciplinary study (Classes 9-12), based on a subject-oriented academic and middle-stage curricular style…more flexibility and student choice of subjects.

There are eight curricular areas — Humanities, Mathematics and Computing, Vocational Education, Physical Education, Arts Education, Social Science, Science and Interdisciplinary Area.

The secondary level is divided into two stages – classes 9-10 and classes 11-12. Broader curricular areas like science, social science, humanities will be introduced in classes 9 and 10. Subjects like History, Physics, Languages ​​within each curricular area will be introduced in class 11 and 12 to enable depth.

For classes 11 and 12, the same set of eight curricular areas will remain on offer, but choice-based courses will be created based on subjects within the curricular areas (eg: the humanities discipline will offer language, literature and philosophy). Ensure deeper and more rigid engagement.

The framework being developed on the lines of the new National Education Policy (NEP) suggests that two important methods of assessment that are appropriate for the foundational stage are observation of the child and analysis of the artifacts the child has made in his/her learning. Designed as part of the experience. ,

(With inputs from PTI)