The recently concluded competency-based examination for Grade 3 students, conducted by the State Council for Education Research and Training (SCERT), has sparked widespread outrage among parents, who claim the assessments were far too difficult for seven- and eight-year- old children. Parents have expressed serious concerns over the questions on 3D aptitude reasoning and Konkani, not ing that the final exams bore little re semblance to the model question pa pers previously shared with schools and families. Reports suggest several students were left in tears, struggling to answer questions many considered out of syllabus or disconnected from the current curriculum. This marked the first-ever central ised common summative examination conducted by SCERT for students of Grades 3 to 8. Held between October 7 and 9, the initiative was intended to standardise student assessments in line with the National Education Pol icy (NEP). Prasad Harmalkar, a parent, strong ly criticised the move, “How can a Grade 3 or 4 student understand a 3D aptitude test?
The government has made a huge blunder. There were no complaints from parents, teachers, or students about the existing system. So why introduce such an obnoxious evaluation method without even consulting parents? This seems like an effort to please ill-informed authorities who know nothing about education. Those behind this appear unqualified to plan education for our children.” Another parent, Cecille Rodrigues, echoed similar con cerns, “Many parents have reached out to me. The papers were extremely difficult. These children were exposed to this type of exam for the first time and were simply not prepared. This is why we’ve been saying that the gov ernment is rushing to implement NEP. The children are now paying the price. NEP should have been introduced gradually, starting from the nursery level. But instead, it’s being pushed through without ensuring that teachers are trained or that the syllabus has been completed and un derstood.” Rodney Travasso from Margao also expressed frustra tion, “There was absolutely no connection between the model paper and the actual exam. These are 8-year-olds, not PhD candidates! Regardless of who is responsible, it’s the children who suffer. The blame lies with those who set and approved these question papers — ultimately, the Ed ucation Minister. Education should instill confidence, not impose undue pressure on young minds.” However, SCERT Director Meghana Shetgaonkar offered a different perspective. “There has been a mixed response to the question papers. Some teachers and students said the papers were very good as they were competency- and application-based. Nevertheless, we will address these concerns during the second semester examinations sched uled for March next year,” she said, speaking to O Heraldo.
