Creating thinking individuals
Teachers have expressed fears that the grading system will not reduce stress on students, says FREDDY DIAS
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The controversy over the newly introduced grading system through ‘internal assessment’ which has been implemented by the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary education (GBSHSE) for the students of standard 10 and 12 Board exams from this year, seems to continue unabated, with parents as well as teachers, opposing the move.
The Goa Board had begun putting an end to the practice of declaring the three toppers at the Board exams, from the academic year 2002-03 and thereafter, a grading system was implemented in Standard 8, 9 and 11 from the year 2007-2008, in the first phase. The introduction of this system, Board officials say, is intended to give importance on identification of hidden talent in students and also, to minimize pressure on them, at the time of answering final examination. According to Board officials, the grading system implemented in Standard 10 and 12 this year, is the same prevailing in Standard 8, 9 and 11 with minor changes.
Parents, however, have been asserting that the grading system puts tremendous stress on the students, as now, every mid-term and terminal exam must be answered, as if it is the final exam. If students do not have satisfactory performance in one of the exams, then it will affect their board results. Besides, marks on assignment projects are also taken into account in students’ performance data, which is taken into consideration, in the final results. The grading system, parents complained, is contrary to the Education department’s avowed intention of ‘decreasing pressure’ on students.
Teachers have raised similar fears in the implementation of the grading system, saying that the same will not help in reducing students’ stress. During a meeting of the Goa Board members a few months back, teachers contended that the grading system still allows students to know in which bracket of marks they fall under, and therefore, it will not help reduce the pressure on them. Moreover, they pointed out that the grading system may, in turn, adversely affect the outcome of students who score high, as there will be no competition to achieve the top merits.
Countering the argument of Board officials, that the drop out rate in the state had reduced after implementing grading system at standard 8, 9 and 11, teachers say this is a misconception, as the drop-out rate could be reducing, because of increasing awareness with regard to importance of education, among people.
An official in the State Education Department says assessments in the field of education are very important, as it helps to see how much a student has understood, of a lesson. In the past, most school papers tested only book knowledge retrieval abilities of a student, rather than her/his understanding of the subject. International assessment tests like the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign language), etc., have evolved after years of research, to grade various analytical skills of students. International assessment in schools, is a similar initiative of the Educational Testing Centre, a self-funded unit within the University of New South Wales, Australia.
The ETC conducts international assessments in schools throughout Asia and the Pacific, from all academic backgrounds. Tests are conducted in English, Science, Mathematics and Computer Studies for students from class 3 through to Class 12. They provide students with a worthwhile and challenging experience, and are recognised by many prestigious universities in Australia and the US. An ETC score, can help a student pursuing higher studies abroad.
ETC’s India office recently shifted from New Delhi to Bangalore. Unlike other assessments that ranked students’ performance, the ETC assessments are not ranked. Certificates are provided based on the general performance of the students, in a particular country. The top 1 per cent of entrants in the country get a certificate marked ‘High Distinction’, the next 10 per cent get ‘Distinction’, the next 20 per cent get ‘Credit’ and all others get participation certificates.
The tests require students to use skills such as critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving. The ETC has often found that children who are not top mark scorers in the school, also do very well in assessment tests. Assessments done through modern test theories, track a student’s progress along his/her journey of education. The tests are conducted only through schools since the programme requires the active participation of student, parent, teacher and principal.
In view of the continuing developments in the field of education, and the resultant need to prepare students for international assessment tests, the state Education department has approved the implementation of the grading system at the Secondary and Higher secondary level of education in the state. Education authorities are of the opinion, that there is a need to create a critical mass of thinkers, and therefore, the role of education must ensure that children become life-long learners. True learning often takes place outside the classroom, and therefore, encouragement of students to excel in Arts and Sports is also greatly important, authorities point out.
Recently, the state cabinet has approved a number of incentives and benefits to Goan sportspersons, including the grant of special leave of absence to students of 10 plus 2 level, as part of the Goa Sports policy. The policy envisages an award of sports merit marks, ranging from 5 marks for taluka level to 40 marks for international level participation in sports, and an award of additional marks for achievement, at various stages of competition.
The sports merit marks, as envisaged in the policy at various levels, are as follows: For taluka 5, district 10, state 15, zonal 20, national 25 and international 40. Additional marks for securing gold, silver and bronze medals for taluka 3, 2 and 1; district 5, 3 and 2; state 7, 5 and 3; zonal 8, 7 and 5; national 10, 8 and 7 and international 12, 10 and 8 respectively. Besides, 50 per cent exemption in attendance of the students is considered upto the taluka, district, state and zonal levels of sports participation, and 75 per cent exemption in attendance, are applicable to those who participate at the national and international levels.
Other incentives and benefits include reservation of 30 per cent in 10 plus 2 plus 3 level educational institutions to sportspersons, and the conduct of special examination or supplementary examination for sportspersons. The policy also envisages the broad basing of sports, achieving excellence in sports, achieving self-sufficiency for sports associations, making sports equipment available to sportspersons, integration of education, physical education and sports, making physical education one of the optional subjects on par with other academic subjects, development of sports culture for all ages, training of coaches and sports administrators, and more.
Moreoever, in order to draw talent, the government has also made a conscious effort to offer scholarships and bursaries to students who are unable to afford their education fees. The overall education policy of the government appears to be quite noteworthy, as it is aimed at creating thinking individuals, through development of character and creativity in students.
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Grace has appeared
By Marc de Souza
We are all brought together by Bethlehem night. Every year, it is the same night. We call it down the centuries, generation after generation, with the same emotion of hope, inscribed in the heart of man, for his earthly destiny.
The grace of God has appeared. The night is holy for us. What is grace? We put the question to this night, Bethlehem night. For, it is similar to so many other nights, which in their unchanging rhythm, pass, one after another. The night is apparently a night, like any other. But it is the night when, in a little corner of the earth, near Bethlehem, the house of bread, south of Jerusalem, the darkness of the night, was transformed into light.
In this light, there was accomplished, the divine mystery. The glory of God totally illuminated the shepherds, who at the place, were keeping watch over their flock, so that they were filled with fear. The light became a voice: “Do not be afraid, to you is born this day, in the city of David, a saviour… I bring you good news of a great joy” (Lk 2-10-11)
The light and the voice show the place, and the meaning of his birth. He was born in the stable meant for animals, for there was no room for him, in any human dwelling. He was born during the census of the population of Israel, when Caesar Augustus was head of the Roman Empire. He was born of the lineage of David. He was born of the virgin. Her name was Miriam, that is to say, Mary. She was the wife of Joseph, of the family of David. Both of them came from Nazareth.
On this night God gives himself in the Son. He gives himself by the power of the Holy Spirit, whom the virgin of Nazareth, received at the Annunciation. On Bethlehem night, God comes to man with the programme of new life: To renounce wordly passions and to live sober, upright, and godly lives, in this world.
The son who is given to us, on this Bethlehem night, as a baby laid in a manger, will give himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify for himself, a people of his own, who are zealous for good deeds.
Everything has become visible on this night. And, at the same time, Bethlehem night wraps all of this in its mysterious darkness. Only Mary and Joseph, and together with them a few shepherds, found themselves in the midst of the light, that penetrated this night.
Thus, it was at that time. 2000 years now divide us from that time. And behold, we still come, we still gather together, at midnight. We recall from afar, that one unique night in the history of humanity.
Sadly, we belong to that generation that has openly shifted its emphasis from God, to the world, from eternity to temporal things. The people who walk in darkness. Dwell in the land of gloom. The people who walk in darkness. The darkness of every age.
And yet, every year, there returns this night. The same Bethlehem night in so many different places in the world. And we gather together. We are here beside the incarnate Word, like Mary and Joseph, with our hearts open to receive the message of hope that Christmas brings also today to humanity.
