Govt seeks school students' views on education

In what could prove to be an innovative  move, the Centre has invited school students to share their views on the current education system and their experiences with teachers, promising that their insights will remain “confidential”.

Following an instruction from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), the Central Board of Secondary Education has created a special page on its website and listed as many as 28 questions, asking students of Class VI to Class XII to give “frank and honest” answers for them online.

The move, which has been initiated as part of the HRD ministry’s exercise to hold consultation with various stakeholders to formulate a new education policy, is likely to bring to light the ground realties about the functioning of schools in the country, official sources told Deccan Herald.

“We value our students’ feedback and will take it into account when making recommendations for substantial improvements in the teaching and learning environment in schools. Therefore, please be as precise as you can in your answers. Please respond frankly, bearing in mind that all students will benefit from your inputs,” the board has urged the students.

“All information given by you will remain confidential,” the board has assured, asking the students to submit their feedback on or before October 5.

This message has been prominently placed at the top of the online feedback form so that students feel absolutely protected as they share their views, official sources said.

Evaluating teachers
Among various questions, the students have been asked whether their teachers cover the entire syllabus. They have also been asked whether they felt their teachers were fair in evaluating their work.

The students have also been asked to register their views on the effectiveness of the continuous and comprehensive evaluation and open-book examination systems.
“How teaching in your class has helped you or helps to able to connect key concepts with day-to-day life situation and able to use them to solve day-to-day problems?,” reads one of the questions.

The students have also been asked to answer if the medium of instruction used in Cass I-V have helped them or is helping them in understanding the concepts better in higher classes.

Among other things, the students will also have to speak about their own attendance and how teachers are treated by students in their school.

Students have also been asked on students from different backgrounds and the level of security available in and around the campus.

They are also required to tell how “slow learners” in their classes are treated and what help students in general are provided for difficult subjects and topics.

The board has written heads of all affiliated schools, directing them to “encourage and facilitate” students to ensure their participation in the exercise.