JOIN USCCE: Should we scrap it or keep it?
Why the fuss?
Exams are a means by which a student’s performance can be measured. Whether the child is writing the board exam or assessed periodically the child is being assessed. So, why the fuss?
I feel it is better to assess the child periodically leading to lower stress levels. It is an additional workload for the teachers, but with the proper facilities, planning, proper incentives and transparent decision making, wonderful results can be achieved.
The hype about the exams should be lessened as it is stressful for teachers, students and parents. The CCE should not be sidelined. It should be followed by all examination boards. It might face some initial hiccoughs but change is the order of the day.
We should train children in life skills so that they can face any situation with confidence and zeal.
Rashmi N
Re-think objectives
When the CCE method was introduced parents heaved a huge sigh of relief. But now, children are still under pressure not just for grades but also to get into the good books of teachers. If a child is able to impress the teacher in the first few months of a year then he can get through the year with good grades. What is the objective of education?
Do we want to bring into society individuals who come out as products that can fit into the already existing system or do we want individuals who are empowered to think and bring about changes in the system which benefits everyone?
We need to relook our objectives and train teachers so that they can empower our children into becoming self motivated independent thinkers who cooperate to create a whole new system.
Subha Parthasarathy, Bangalore
Chaotic mess
The newly introduced CCE system has become a chaotic mess for teachers, students, and parents alike. Although the system was meant to be revolutionary, there has been no structure or proper setup.
When children are tested on every single aspect for every day of the year, it is bound to increase the heat on teachers and students. In addition to this there could be bias in the grading system. The marks are disclosed anyway, leading to students begging for marks to up their grade. Also this system is not in sync with real life where excellence matters and there are no second chances. The CBSE has made a blunder through the CCE and a more realistic and compatible (with our current admission scenario) approach should have been followed.
Sanket Mehta , Bangalore
Teaching is not data entry
The grading system has actually diverted the focus from teaching to data entry. It has also induced stress among teachers, parents and students. If the CCE system had been introduced stage by stage, i.e. first at the primary level and then slowly to the other levels, it would have been more effective.
The problems that crop up could have been addressed at the early stage itself. Also, in recent years many schools have been affiliated to the CBSE stream. Keeping this in mind a more extensive induction programme should be planned for the teaching faculty. If these things are taken care of may be the system could work. Otherwise, we will be churning out students who do not know their actual worth as teachers are not allowed to grade them honestly. We will only be cushioning them and, thereby not equipping them to face the harsh realities of life.
Nirmala
A good step
CBSE’s CCE is a good step to make the exams more focused on application, as well as on students’ behavioural parameters. Unfortunately, it has met with some opposition from all stakeholders. Even so, there are a decent number of people who are in favour of this kind of evaluation.
Of course, it needs to be streamlined and adequate time should be given to all stakeholders to get acclimatised to the new system. Teachers point out that a lot of time is spent on evaluating answer scripts and entering the grades for class work, home work, projects, activities etc. leaving them with little time for teaching.
As a solution, schools can/should hire people for data entry so that teachers can concentrate on teaching. Most schools should be able to hire a team of 2-3 professionals for data entry.
As for students, it takes time for them to get used to any new system. It must be understood that projects and activities are necessary for the overall development of the pupil.
Vinuth C, Bangalore
No time for anything
As an eighth grade student, I along with my friends am forcefully subjected to the continuous grading/marking of our every move.
The projects and the assignments take away our time and we do not have time for other activities or for fun in the holidays. Those who are creative slip through with good marks while those who are not have to struggle. All the projects are dumped after marking, which adds up to waste. Those who do not have internet at home face a difficult task. Projects have become a perfect example of copy and paste.
The teachers look burdened with all the marking, grading, evaluating and explaining to confused parents about the new CCE system. Parents of students below the fourth grade do their kids’ projects and assignments.
It would be better if field trips, aptitude tests, career counseling for high school, honing of the students skill and interest in a particular subject or a field are introduced.
J V Neehaarika, Mysore
Will bring positive change
People are generally resistant to change, particularly if the change pushes them out of their comfort zones. The introduction of CCE by the CBSE should bring about positive changes in the education scenario in the next five years. From the students’ point of view, it will make them more focussed and competent.
Earlier, they would study just before the final exams, now they are focussed on academic work throughout the term. Soon, it should become a routine for most students. However, for teachers, this transition has led to an enormous increase in workload. But if we want our education system to match worldwide standards, then we must take up this challenge.
As was mentioned in the article, this system will work well if the student-teacher ratio is low. Some division of duties could be worked out within the school, as far as evaluation and grading of students are concerned.
Hamsa N, Bangalore
Need to revise grading system
The CCE and grading system have only been partially successful. The grading system has definitely removed cut-throat competition. But a child who works hard to get 90 per cent definitely deserves to get an A1 grade and not be in the same bracket as another who gets only 81 per cent.
It would be advisable to revise the grading system as follows: 90-100 per cent A1, 80-89 per cent A2 and so on. The CCE has been unable to reduce exam stress. Recently, the students of Class IX were in for a rude shock when barely a few weeks before their mid-term exams they were informed that the exam paper would be sent by the CBSE.
Now, instead of one final board exam in Class 10, students have to write four board exams, one in every term. The teachers have to correct the papers based on a very strict marking scheme with very little room to accommodate any point that is relevant but not specified in the answer key.
Navita Singh, Bangalore
Major change
The CBSE Board has dared to look beyond the normal when they introduced the concept of CCE. It is a nice way of keeping the students and teachers engaged with learning activities all the year round. It induces more seriousness among the students on everything that is taught in the class.
Moreover, the projects that the students are supposed to execute regularly in a team will invoke their creativity, will teach them to work in a team, will help them to articulate their thoughts and hone their leadership and social skills which are as important as the academic skills in today’s world.
Earlier the performance of a student would primarily depend on the marks that they were able to score in the final exam. In the CCE system, the total weightage is divided across intermediate and final exams.
But all change requires good planning and foresight for an appropriate change management process. It calls for in-depth training for the teachers in the new process so that they can champion it effectively to their students.
Achin K Das, Bangalore
Not serving the purpose
The CCE pattern is not serving the purpose it was meant for. Most of the time students are preoccupied with projects and other school activities so they resort to last minute preparations and slog the previous night for the formative assessments.
The criteria listed for evaluation is so high that it is highly impossible for the teacher to do justice to all the students. CCE has been introduced to avoid the stress of facing public examination. But students used to take studies seriously and the board exam preparation paved the way for developing a competitive spirit, smart work schedule and the mental makeup to face exams. The absence of board exam and evaluation by their own teachers has led to laxity among students. There is also ample scope for biased evaluation by teachers.
Shailashree Shankar