In order to assess a student's performance there needs to be a system of testing. In the present system the evaluation process awards marks or grades commensurate with each student's performance. This phenomenon is followed right from the primary level to the post graduate level. In the present system the questions prepared are not objective or task oriented. Here, the students are to repeat what they have memorised. As the marks obtained in the exams become the criteria for higher education or employment, every student concentrates on scoring high marks which no doubt will be close to the maximum marks.
Here, the parents and schools through their teachers place the burden on vulnerable students. In the last decade or so, every job aspirant looks through the lens of IT employment. This has led to every house becoming an R&D laboratory where the children are tried and tested in this direction. Such a mind tuning prohibits the growth of any natural talent latent in the child. Very few parents follow a different step. Two of my friends who are brilliant engineers in their vocation did not insist that their children become engineers. One of them is pursuing a successful career in tourism whereas the other is studying physiotherapy. There may be a few parents who belong to this category, but the majority are in the direction in which the wind is blowing.
In this attempt not all children will be able to bear the heat which results in short circuiting of their careers. Recently, the Chief of Army pointed out that there was a shortage of Officers in the Army and as per records the prestigious Defence Academies have very few seats filled up.
The present system of examination has also given rise to copying in exams. Though this number is small it does not augur well when the ultimate goal is good, fair and qualitative education. It is also an open secret that many institutions are encouraging mass copying.
When it comes to change in the present examination system there needs an over hauling of the system of education itself. However difficult it is, a change is necessary. There are several methods which are in vogue in other countries and among them the Open Book System is the one which applied in true spirit will be a trendsetter in the field of education and will enhance the quality of learning of students where the knowledge gained by them is application based.
As the name itself suggests the students are allowed to carry text books to the examination hall. In this method the teachers are supposed to teach the theoretical aspects of the subject thoroughly, well loaded with practical examples. This would enable the students to go in search of more such examples applicable to the theory. The questions are to be framed in such a way as to test the practical knowledge of the students. Though this looks like a new phenomenon, the concept was put into practice on an experimental basis during the early 70's itself. This was done by the renowned educationist, Dr H Narasimhiah, when he was the principal of National College, Bangalore. He introduced the same in the mid-term examinations. Text books were allowed into the examination hall and there were no invigilators. At that time his idea was to help students take the examination without fear or anxiety. This may also have been carried out as a solution to the problem of copying which was rampant at the time at the University level itself. This method could not be continued after two or three years.
In the Open Book system the students will have the confidence that he has a text book with him during the examination. Here the chances of copying are nil. The system helps them to learn the subject more thoroughly through reference books or notes which also enables them to prepare a thorough answer to each question. However, they should be clear on what books are allowed to be carried. Here too, they should be well versed with the subject, otherwise their time in the examination hall will be spent finding the answers in the text books. There are certain shortcomings in this too. As only a few books are allowed, the students may find it difficult to express fully what they have learnt. Also, this may lead to students simply copying what is given in text books rather than applying their minds.
Though this system appears to be time, as well as, energy consuming for both teachers as well as students it is worth considering as the ultimate beneficiaries are students whose application based knowledge is enhanced. In a vast country like ours, a majority of students come from the lower economic and social strata. They need a quality based education which should enable them to be on par with their counterparts who are on the brighter side of society.
