'State to become talent storehouse of the world'

Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar on Thursday said that with its high literacy and emphasis on quality education, Karnataka is all set to become the talent storehouse of the world. The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Oswaal Books Stakeholders Conference on School Education.

Several school principals, teachers, learning experts, journalists, parents and students participated in this discussion, the outcome of which is being collated and submitted as a Set of Recommendations to the State government to consider.

Not marks, scores alone

Later, speaking about the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) pattern
for students, the minister said that it was a holistic method and not oriented towards marks and scores alone, but also learning.

Dr H S Ganesha Bhatta, Chairman, SSLC Exam Reforms Committee, and an education expert said, “Realising the need of the modern times, Karnataka Board has adopted unique measures including the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation and the Cost Scholastic Assessment. The latter is based on health education, attitude and values, work experience and art education of the students based on grade system. Schools have also adopted Formative Assessment System to assess the students’ abilities from the beginning.”

The book - Fijeeha Guidelines on Best Practices in Teaching - was also released by the minister.

Oswaal scholarships

Prashant Jain, Marketing Director, Oswaal Books also announced special Oswaal Books scholarships for class X students of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Karnataka State Board.

“A total of top 10 students, five each from the CBSE and the State Board, based on their total marks in the March 2015 examinations shall be given awards worth Rs 5,000 each along with a certificate of excellence,” he added.