At a time when pre-university courses are functioning in full swing, the State government on Monday decided to scrap internal assessment (IA) for non-science subjects of I and II year PU courses for the academic year 2007-08.

However, work books, projects and assignment allocation in classrooms will continue according to an official press release from the PU department.

All non-science subjects will have a theory paper for 100 marks. A separate section for 10 marks will be introduced in the paper for questions based on these assignments. Blueprints and model question papers will be dispatched to all the colleges soon.

For practicals
As far as science students are concerned the present system of 10-marks earmarked for practicals will continue.
The government took the decision based on the recommendation of a 11-member committee headed by retired secretary Dr G P Basavaraju, which went into all aspects of IA.

The committee had suggested that the 10-marks earmarked for internal assessment in non-science subjects through work books, projects and assignments be included in the theory paper itself.

 The committee was constituted to study the working of the IA system which was first introduced for PU courses in 2005-06.

The committee, after extensive interaction with the principals, teachers, students and educationists, had recommended that the present mode of classroom evaluation of internal assessment can be reintroduced once the government revamps the academic quality and infrastructure in PU colleges.

Accordingly, internal assessment will be re-introduced from 2009-10, the release added.

Internal assessment was first introduced for PU students two years ago. While science students had practicals, non-science students were introduced to assignments and projects for which 10 marks were earmarked.

HIGHLIGHTS
*Class teachers not to award Internal Assessment marks in non-science subjects
*10-marks based on assignments and projects to be included in the theory question paper
*Practicals for all science subjects excluding mathematics to continue