<p>The human resource development (HRD) ministry has initiated a move to introduce a system for assessment of children’s aptitude at Class IX, results of which will help students realise their potentials and inherent skills and also guide parents in planning a “realistic” career for them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A task force has been constituted by the ministry to work out the format of the test, to be conducted by the central board of secondary education (CBSE).<br /><br />The task force, which comprises experts from the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) as members, held its first meeting earlier this month.<br /><br /> “The idea is to introduce a system for scientific assessment of students’ inherent skills and potentials so that they have a clear understanding of their merits, demerits and capabilities. This will not only help students plan their career at an early age, but also come as a guide to their parents when they plan their career,” official sources told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />The results of the aptitude test would help parents plan a “realistic” career path for their children, instead of forcing them to choose a career of their choice. The aptitude of the children will be identified through psychometric tests comprising questions on numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning.<br /><br />“On many occasions, we have seen that a child has taken science and prepares for engineering and medical courses to fulfil their parents wish even though they are least interested on these streams and find it difficult to cope with the challenges. This ultimately results in frustration. Thehe aptitude test will help give them a clear idea about their potentials and capabilities,” sources added.<br /><br />This decision comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while reviewing the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme, suggested that an aptitude test be conducted in schools. While interacting with school children on the eve of Teachers Day, the Prime Minister said his government was considering replacing the old system of issuance of character certificate by schools with issuance of aptitude certificates.<br /><br />The central board of secondary education has already been conducting a similar test for the students of class X since 2011.</p>
<p>The human resource development (HRD) ministry has initiated a move to introduce a system for assessment of children’s aptitude at Class IX, results of which will help students realise their potentials and inherent skills and also guide parents in planning a “realistic” career for them.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A task force has been constituted by the ministry to work out the format of the test, to be conducted by the central board of secondary education (CBSE).<br /><br />The task force, which comprises experts from the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) as members, held its first meeting earlier this month.<br /><br /> “The idea is to introduce a system for scientific assessment of students’ inherent skills and potentials so that they have a clear understanding of their merits, demerits and capabilities. This will not only help students plan their career at an early age, but also come as a guide to their parents when they plan their career,” official sources told Deccan Herald. <br /><br />The results of the aptitude test would help parents plan a “realistic” career path for their children, instead of forcing them to choose a career of their choice. The aptitude of the children will be identified through psychometric tests comprising questions on numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning.<br /><br />“On many occasions, we have seen that a child has taken science and prepares for engineering and medical courses to fulfil their parents wish even though they are least interested on these streams and find it difficult to cope with the challenges. This ultimately results in frustration. Thehe aptitude test will help give them a clear idea about their potentials and capabilities,” sources added.<br /><br />This decision comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while reviewing the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme, suggested that an aptitude test be conducted in schools. While interacting with school children on the eve of Teachers Day, the Prime Minister said his government was considering replacing the old system of issuance of character certificate by schools with issuance of aptitude certificates.<br /><br />The central board of secondary education has already been conducting a similar test for the students of class X since 2011.</p>
