School exam system set for Rs 25,000 cr rejig in 12th Plan

Updated on: Thursday, November 24, 2011

In an effort to give an academic orientation to all the 41 state and national school boards, the human resource development (HRD) ministry is planning for major reforms in the school examination system in the country.

The Planning Commission is at present working on a document with recommendations for investments to the tune of more than Rs 20,000 crore for the 12th Plan towards revamp of the school boards. The committee is also expected to recommend switching over to continuous comprehensive evaluation (CCE) by the state school boards and greater use of information technology.

A sub-committee of the Planning Commission has been set up, headed by former director of National Council for Educational Research and Training, Krishna Kumar. The chairman of CBSE, Vineet Joshi is the convenor of the committee. Although the recommendations are yet to be submitted, it has been learnt that the committee is focusing on revamping the school boards, so that instead of remaining as mere exam conducting bodies, they will also work on design and quality of question papers.

The idea is to infuse an academic approach into preparation of question papers. "The idea is to change the way exams are being conducted. Question papers are being prepared so that the marksheets reflect the true potential of the students and not simply reflect their ability to memorise and reproduce the material on the answerscript," said Joshi. According to a committee member, the sub-committee is expected to propose an allocation upto anything between Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 in the 12th Plan.

The sub-committee is meeting on Friday to finalise the recommendations.

Times of India

School exam system set for Rs 25,000 cr rejig in 12th Plan

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