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Updated on: Tuesday, December 07, 2010

The system of Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) was subject to a series of speculations when it was introduced for secondary classes last year. However, with the completion of a year, the concept has garnered broad acceptance and appreciation.

This fact came to light through a roundtable discussion on CCE that was recently organised in the Capital. Principals, teachers, students and policy makers unanimously stated that the grading-based system of CCE for class IX and class X students was much needed.

While lauding the progressive features of this new system of assessment, educationists have expressed the need for focused deliberations along with the creation of robust mechanisms for feedback and training to ensure the success of this system in the coming years. It was revealed in the roundtable discussion that CCE by virtue of its equal emphasis on scholastic and coscholastic abilities can aid the holistic growth of the child.

Hailing the new evaluation and assessment system Arvinder Singh Lovely, education minister, New Delhi said, "The new grading based evaluation and assessment system is a marked improvement over the old method that was largely memory centric. While the initial apprehensions are fading the confidence of students and teachers is building in support of this new system." Quoting statistics, Lovely shared that the earlier drop-out rate in Delhi schools has drastically come down to 1.2 percent from the earlier 17.4 percent after the introduction of CCE. Also the pass rate after CCE's implementation , which was earlier just 37 percent, has gone up to a striking 90 percent.

School principals are of the view that the new system has several benefits. "Teachers are enthused and we are working overtime to ensure CCE is a success," said Seema Jerath, principal, DLF Public School, Ghaziabad. "CCE can also be called Child Centric Education," she observes. "We are happy at the initial outcome of this new system which provides remedial and corrective measures," added Shashi Ranjan, principal, Amity International School, Vasundhara. "There is much to be gained in learning from our traditional methods of imparting education as well as from the best practices of international examination boards. Any approach that is sensitive towards improving the learning experience of the child must be explored and if possible implemented at the earliest. CCE is a step in this direction which will give a child beyond academics experience," observed Nalin S Kohli, Chairman, Vidya Sanskar International School, Faridabad.

Given the encouraging impact of the new assessment system educationists are hopeful that the system will help in creating better mindsets and provide children an opportunity to explore diverse career options. Raising some crucial points, Pervin Malhotra, a career counselor, said, "CCE aims at providing holistic training to children as well as orienting them to focus on the many nonscholastic aspects of learning, which is a welcome change from the past. Lines between different career streams are blurring . Academic capabilities play a very small role in employability and through CCE; smart workers will be churned out who will be holistically groomed. Nonetheless, thought should also be given to implement the system at the grassroots level and not just at the elite schools."

The improper implementation of the system was a concern raised by many. "The challenge was not to shift from marks to grade, but to change the mindset of parents, teachers and children. It was a full-fledged exercise to unlearn what we learnt and relearn what we are supposed to learn," said Jayrath. To this Malhotra added, "Proper time needs to be given and a lot of planning needs to be done for the implementation of such systems. Right now we are just delaying the stress of boards till the student reaches class 12. The class 10 boards helped in benchmarking through which ground was laid for class 11 and 12. Now, the academically average student rejoices the decision while the very bright students are in a state of dismal."

Times of India

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