In a significant step towards the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Goa State Council of Educational Research and Training (GSCERT) in a circular to all government, government-aided, and unaided recognised schools affiliated with the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has made it mandatory to conduct of two Common Summative Examinations annually for students of Classes III to VIII, from October.
The circular, addressed to Heads and In-Charges of these institutions, stated that the uniform assessment system is part of the State’s progressive adoption of NEP 2020, which emphasises equity, standardisation, and quality enhancement across all stages of school education.
Meghana Shetgaonkar, GSCERT Director, said, “This initiative is intended to bring uniformity and standardisation in assessment practices across all schools in the State. This common examination is compulsory for all schools across Goa and any lapses in this regard will be viewed seriously.” The examinations will be applicable to all students from Classes III to VIII, across all government, aided, and unaided recognised schools in Goa. Each academic year will feature two such summative assessments.
These exams will be conducted simultaneously across the state according to a common timetable. The question papers for these examinations will be centrally prepared and distributed by GSCERT. This move aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of a competency-based, holistic, and standardised assessment system that focuses on learning outcomes rather than rote memorisation. By implementing common exams across diverse institutions, the State aims to ensure a level playing field for all students and improve the overall quality and consistency of education.
The circular further says the syllabus for final question papers of the common examination in all subjects will be as per the academic calendar and as per the blueprints circulated earlier. The requirement of an external examiner for conducting practical examinations of Classes III is relaxed. The practical may be conducted by concerned schools only. However, an external examiner is mandatory for conducting the practical examination of Classes VI.
One teacher may work as an external examiner in multiple schools, the circular says. The schools are required to follow the old formats for preparation of progress report cards of the students of Classes IV, V, VII and VIII while following the given formats for preparation of progress report cards of the students of Class III in view of NEP-2020 implementation at these grades.