Answer is a Question Bank (GS Paper 2, Governance)
Context
- The NDA government has taken a significant step by appointing a committee led by Koppillil Radhakrishnan, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), to propose reforms for the examination process and improve data security protocols for the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the longstanding issues within the examination system.
- Additionally, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made a bold move by cancelling the UGC-NET examination following revelations of malpractices.
- This decision underscores the government’s willingness to take decisive actions to uphold the integrity of the examination process.
Vision of NEP 2020
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to fundamentally transform the nature of learning assessments.
- It advocates for a shift from summative assessments, which primarily test rote memorization, to more regular and formative evaluations.
- These assessments focus on competency-based learning and test higher-order skills such as analysis, critical thinking, and conceptual clarity.
- This approach aligns with the broader agenda of the Ministry of Education, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and modernization in the educational assessment landscape.
Challenges Identified by the Parliamentary Standing Committee
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, in its 336th report in 2021, highlighted several persistent challenges in the conduct of public examinations.
- These include issues like question paper leaks, administration of incorrect question papers, confusion regarding seating arrangements, rampant cases of copying, and the appointment of inappropriate examiners.
- The committee recommended that the examination management competency of institutions should be a mandatory criterion for accreditation.
- This recommendation underscores the need for a robust and reliable examination system to maintain the credibility of educational assessments.
The Question Bank System
- The Question Bank system offers a promising solution to many of the identified issues.
- By providing a category-wise pool of questions to students at the beginning of the academic year, the element of secrecy is removed.
- This transparency reduces the risk of question paper leaks and other malpractices.
- The system ensures that students are prepared holistically, rather than focusing on specific questions.
- Additionally, it promotes comprehensive coverage of the syllabus by teachers, as the potential for selective teaching is eliminated.
- The introduction of the Question Bank system can significantly enhance the fairness and integrity of public examinations.
Need for Independent Educational Leadership
- The issue of inadequate human resources for leadership positions in educational institutions is a significant concern.
- There is a pressing need to develop an independent cadre, such as an Indian Education Service, to ensure quality control and effective institution-building.
- Introducing specialized courses in school management, college management, and university management can prepare individuals for leadership roles in the education sector.
- This approach will help in creating a pool of qualified professionals who can contribute to the improvement and modernization of educational institutions.
Ensuring Trust and Transparency
- The trust in the evaluation system and the guarantee of transparency, fairness, and justice are crucial for any educational assessment system.
- The introduction of Question Banks, the evolution of alternative evaluation systems, and the development of institutional leadership will ensure that this trust remains intact.
- These measures will contribute to creating a reliable and effective examination system that meets the highest standards of integrity and fairness, thereby fostering a culture of trust and transparency in the educational ecosystem.
What Steps Can Be Taken to Address the Challenges in the Examination System?
Focus on Understanding and Analytical Ability:
- Examinations should assess students’ comprehension and analytical skills.
- Question papers should include various forms of questions to evaluate different abilities in line with the instructional objectives of each course.
- Memory-based questions should be minimized to encourage deeper learning.
Subject and Skill-Specific Assessments:
- Incorporate subject-specific and skill-specific assessments for a comprehensive evaluation of students’ learning achievements.
- Advocate for challenging assessments that distinguish students based on their academic attainments.
- Proper importance should be given to practical components of the curriculum.
- Practical exams should be designed to assess students’ hands-on skills and application of theoretical knowledge.
Prevent Cheating:
- Strict measures such as installing CCTV cameras, appointing vigilant invigilators, and providing adequate guidance to students on avoiding unfair means should be implemented to curb cheating.
- Examination centers that fail to prevent cheating should be penalized or canceled.
Examinations as a Means, Not an End:
- The primary purpose of examinations should be to facilitate learning and help students achieve educational objectives.
- Examinations should not be treated as the final goal but as a tool to promote continuous learning and improvement.
Leverage Technology for Credibility:
- Utilize technology in assessments to enhance credibility, standardizing question papers and evaluations.
- Explore market-available software solutions for both centralized and distributed assessment systems.
Conclusion
- By implementing these measures, the examination system can be transformed to better reflect students' true capabilities, foster a fair and transparent assessment environment, and ultimately enhance the quality of education in India.
