The goal to implement Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) seems to have hit roadblock, with the State government deciding to conduct the examinations according to the old pattern.
While the new text books are designed to suit the requirements of national curriculum framework-2005 and Right to Education Act-2009 provisions, the government is contemplating conducting the examinations in the old pattern.
The SCERT had taken up curriculum reforms following GO 60 issued in 2013 for implementation of the CCE.
Accordingly the text books were revised, and examination pattern was also redesigned. In new pattern, 10 to 20 percent marks were earmarked for internal assessment/formative assessment (FA).
The teachers were asked to do the FA based on parameters like reading story books, children literature, newspapers and reflecting in terms of writing and presentation in the class room for language subjects; experiments and record books for science, project work, slip test etc.
Progressive Recognised Teachers’ Union (PRTU) state president M. Kamalakara Rao says that the students were being taught lessons as per the new syllabus. The teachers were confused as there were no guidelines on examination pattern. The students would be at receiving end if they were taught lessons as per new syllabus, and examinations were conducted in old pattern, he feels.
District Educational Officer (DEO) D. Devananda Reddy, however, allays the fears. “There are no instructions so far. However, I don’t see much problem even if the examination was conducted in old pattern.”
The CCE was introduced to with an objective of doing away the concept of by hearting the lessons, he explains. The DEO also disagrees with teachers’ bodies’ argument that the government hasn’t given proper training to the teachers on new syllabus and pattern. Training was imparted through teleconference, he asserts.
In combined Andhra Pradesh, the number of students appearing from SSC examination rose to 10,49,902 in 2013 from 5,74,555 in 2001. The pass percentage also rose to 88.08 in 2013 from 65.11 in 2001.
The State government issued GO 17 in May this year to bring reforms in education system.