Sunday 3 July 2011

Examination Reforms and Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE)


The larger context of education is to prepare futuristic citizens for a meaningful
and productive life in a globalised society. There is a dire need to strengthen the
education system even more so in a pluralistic society which addresses itself to a
heterogeneous group. Evaluation is a means of realising the extent to which we
have  been  successful  in  imparting  such  an  education.  Evaluation  is  an
indispensable  part  of  the  educational  process  as  some  form  of  assessment  is
necessary to determine the effectiveness of teaching learning processes and their
assimilation by learners.  

External examinations  ‘are largely inappropriate for the ‘knowledge society’ of the 21st
century  and  its’  need  for  innovative  problem  solvers’,  Questions  if  not  framed  well,
“call for rote memorization and fail to test higher-order skills like reasoning and analysis,
lateral  thinking,  creativity  and  judgement.  External  exams  make  no  allowance  for
different types of learners and learning environments and induce an in-ordinate level of
anxiety and stress”. 

(NCF- Position paper on Examination Reforms)

This calls for a functional and reliable system of School-Based Evaluation.

We need to look at the  holistic assessment of a learner which also includes co-
scholastic area of Life Skills, Attitudes and Values, Sports and Games as well as
Co-Curricular  activities.  The  CCE  scheme  aims  at  addressing  this  in  a  holistic
manner.  A  number  of  National  Committees  and  Commissions  in  the  past  have
consistently  made  recommendations  regarding  reducing  emphasis  on  external


examination  and  encouraging  internal  assessment  through  School-Based
Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation.

Therefore,  the  CCE  scheme  brings  about  a  paradigm  shift  from  examination  to
effective pedagogy.

National  Curriculum  Framework  2005,  while  proposing  Examination  Reforms
has also stated – “Indeed, Boards should consider, as a long-term measure, making the
Class X Examination Optional, thus permitting students continuing in the same school
(and who do not need a Board certificate) to take an internal school exam instead “.

Hon’ble  Union  Minister  for  Human  Resource  Development  also  announced-
Push  the  process  of  examination  reform  in  accordance  with  NCF  2005.    This  will
include making the Class X examination optional, thus permitting students continuing
in  the  same  school  (and  who  do  not  need  a  board  certificate)  to  take  an  internal  school
assessment instead “.

In  the  light  of  the  above  background,  surveys  and  consultations  with  various
stakeholders  across  the  country  and  the  given  mandate  of  CBSE,  the  Board,  on
the  advice  of  the  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development,  Government  of
India has decided to introduce the following Scheme:-

1.  Scheme of the Board 

1.1       Senior Secondary Schools 
a)  There  will  be  no  Class  X  Board  Examination  w.e.f.  2011  for  students
studying  in  CBSE’s  Senior  Secondary  schools  and  who  do  not  wish  to
move out of the CBSE system after Class X.

b)  However,  such  students  of  Senior  Secondary  Schools  who  wish  to  move
out of the CBSE system  after Class X (Pre-University, Vocational course,
Change of Board, etc.) will be required to take the Board’s  External (pen
and paper written/online) Examination.

c)  Further, those students who wish to assess themselves vis-à-vis their peers
or  for  self  assessment  will  be  allowed  to  appear  in  an  On  Demand  (pen
and paper/ online) Proficiency test.






Secondary Schools 

The  students  studying  in  CBSE’s  Secondary  schools  will  however
be  required  to  appear  in            Board’s    External  (pen  and  paper
written/online)  Examination  because  they  will  be  leaving  the
secondary school after Class X.

All Schools

The  Continuous  and  Comprehensive  Evaluation  (CCE)  will  be
strengthened  in  all  affiliated  schools  with  effect  from  October,
2009 in Class IX. 

An  Optional  Aptitude  Test  developed  by  the  CBSE  will  also  be
available to the students. The Aptitude Test along with other school
records  and  CCE  would  help  students,  parents  and  teachers  in
deciding the choice of subjects in Class XI.All students of Class X in
the current academic year will be taking the CBSE Board’s Class X
2010 Examination.  The CBSE will be conducting this Examination.
The weightage of the school based assessment will remain the same
as  per  past  practice,  i.e.  20% each in the subjects of Science, Social
Science and Mathematics.

The new Grading system will be introduced at Secondary School
level  (for  Classes  IX  &  X)  effective  from  2009-10  Academic
Session.    The  details  of  grading  scheme  are  being  circulated  in  a
separate advisory to schools. 


Details of the scheme are annexed at (Annexure-I) all for ready reference.


2.

 How would the Scheme help? 

The above steps would help the learners and parents, who are the primary
stakeholders of school education, in the following manner:-

a)  It  will  reduce  stress  and  anxiety  which  often  builds  up  during
and after the examination which could have an adverse impact on
young students especially in the age group of 13-15 years.
b)  It  will  reduce  the  dropout  rate  as  there  will  be  less  fear  and
anxiety related to performance.
c)  In  the  past  there  was  practice  to  often  finish  the  entire  syllabus
much  before  time  and  follow  it  up  with  Pre-Board(s)  and  study

leave.  Now  there  will  be  greater  focus  on  learning  rather  than
teaching to the test.
d)  The  emphasis  on  conceptual  clarification  through  experiential
learning  in  the  classroom  will  increase  since  there  will  be  more
time available for transaction of curriculum.
e)  It  will  help  the  learners  to  develop  holistically  in  terms  of
personality  by  also  focussing  on  the  co-scholastic  aspects  which
will  be  assessed  as  part  of  the  Continuous  and  Comprehensive
Evaluation scheme.
f)  It is expected to prepare the students for life by making students
physically fit, mentally alert and emotionally balanced.
g)  The students will have more time on their hands to develop their
interests, hobbies and personalities.
h)  It  will  enable  the  students,  parents  and  teachers  to  make  an
informed choice about subjects in Class XI.
i)  It will motivate learning in a friendly environment rather than in
a fearful situation.
j)  It  will  equip  students  with  Life  Skills  especially  Creative  and
Critical  thinking  skills,  social  skills  and  coping  skills  which  will
keep  them  in  a  good  stead  when  they  enter  into  a  highly
competitive environment later on.

Addressing the Concerns

The CBSE has been discussing the matter with its stakeholders all over the
country.  A  number  of  issues  are  likely  to  be  raised  by  students/parents
regarding this initiative, as it is being done for the first time by any Board
in India.  A compilation of such issues, and solutions offered by the Board
in the form of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) will be soon available on
the CBSE website.  In case of any clarification you may write through the
CBSE’s  website  (detailed  below)  or  mail  your  queries  to  the  Chairman
CBSE  by  superscribing  “CBSE  Examination  Reform”  on  the  top  of  the
envelop.

CCE Guidelines

Many  of  the  Schools  are  already  aware  about  the  CCE  and  are
implementing the same. However, in order to improve the quality of CCE,
the detailed guidelines are being issued and will reach the schools shortly.
These will also be available on CBSE website (www.cbse.nic.in).  


Training Workshops

Teacher  training  workshops  will  be  conducted  simultaneously  from
October 2009 onwards. These training workshops will be compulsory for
the  Heads  of  Schools  and  two  teacher  representatives.  Details  of  these
will  be  available  on  the  CBSE’s  website.  Principals  and  trained  teachers
will be thereafter interacting with parents during Parent Teacher Meetings
to  create  awareness  regarding  the  Board’s  Scheme  and  address  their
concerns. 

Request to School Principals

The CBSE is committed to the enhancement of quality in school education
and  it  plans  to  empower  schools  to  assess  the  students  without
compromising on any quality parameter.  It has full faith in the Principals
and  teachers  of  its  affiliated  schools  and  hopes  that  the  following  action
will be taken in the shortest possible time:-

a)  Explain  the  above  scheme  in  detail  to  the  parents,  teachers  and
students  specially  those  in  Classes  IX  and  X  and  interact  with
parents of these students to create awareness and sensitise them.
b)  Collect and forward the information about number of students in
Class IX in the current academic session.
c)  Forward  this  data  to  the  Regional  Office  concerned  in  the
enclosed Proforma definitely by 15th October 2009.(Annexure 2)

 Further Clarification
Comprehensive guidelines on various aspects of CCE will be available in
the Teachers’ Manual  on School Based Assessment  shortly. This will also be
hosted on the CBSE website (www.cbse.nic.in) 

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