Reforms in SSC exams on track

Changes will put an end to rote method; private candidates will have to appear for the exam under the open school system. he 20 per cent internal marks will also reflect in the 10th class memo with separate grades.

Permitting private candidates in the 10th class exams will be done away with from this academic year as officials feel that private schools are resorting to the unfair practice of making mediocre students appear as private candidates to ensure that the school secures 100 per cent results .

This is one of the key reforms suggested by the State Council of Educational and Research Training (SCERT). However, students can appear privately under the Open School System, which is treated equivalent to Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam.

The SCERT also proposed measures to stop the habit of memorising by bringing in changes in the question paper format and introduction of 20 per cent internal marks for extra-curricular activities. The government has already approved the proposals and the orders will be issued soon, an official said.

The 20 per cent internal marks will also reflect in the 10th class memo with separate grades. The memo will have grades for Health and Physical Education; Art and Culture Education, Work Experience Education and Computer Education, and Value Education and Life Skills will be evaluated by the teachers periodically.

Earlier, the SCERT suggested that students need to pass separately, scoring minimum seven marks in internal evaluation and 28 marks in the external examination for the total 35 passing marks but that has been withdrawn now. Combined score of 35 will be taken irrespective of the scores in each section.

“The entire focus of reforms is to encourage students to think creatively and critically rather than reproducing the answers learnt in class. So students can’t expect questions given at the end of the lessons, guides or questions from previous exam papers.

Questions will be designed in such a way that they have to study the lesson, understand it and answer in their own words,” says S. Jagannadh Reddy, Director of Telangana SCERT.

“Coaching centres and schools are promoting ‘guide culture’ focussing on the rote method. But that will not work from this year,” says N. Upender Reddy, Professor at Department of Curriculum, Text Books and Pupil Assessment, SCERT. The syllabus and textbooks have been prepared keeping these changes in view.