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Context
- PARAKH, a standard-setting body under the NCERT, has recently submitted an 'equivalence' report to the Ministry of Education.
- This report makes recommendations on achieving equivalence across various school boards in India, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- The NEP calls for PARAKH to facilitate the sharing of best practices among school boards and ensure academic standard equivalence.
READ ABOUT NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY:
https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/national-education-policy-2020-14
https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/national-education-policy-nep-2020
READ ALL ABOUT PARAKH: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/parakh-31#:~:text=About%20PARAKH&text=It%20will%20also%20be%20responsible,based%20assessments%2C%20and%20examination%20improvements.
Understanding Equivalence Across Boards
Current Variability Among Boards
- India has 69 school boards, including State boards, CBSE, ICSE, NIOS, and various others. These boards differ significantly in terms of curriculum, examinations, and structural functioning.
- This disparity has led to some boards being perceived as superior to others.
Objectives of Equivalence
- The goal of achieving equivalence is not to enforce uniformity but to ensure that all learners, regardless of their board, receive a certain standard of education and facilities.
- This means that a student in any board should have access to standardized, benchmarked resources and performance measures.
Recommendations by PARAKH
Assessment Reforms
- PARAKH suggests that Class 9, 10, and 11 performances should contribute to the final Class 12 results.
- Specifically, Class 12 results would be a cumulative of 15% from Class 9, 20% from Class 10, 25% from Class 11, and 40% from Class 12.
- Additionally, implementing a credit-based system for assessments, including credits for online courses and extracurricular activities, integrated into a holistic progress card, is recommended.
Standardization Measures
- PARAKH recommends developing a cadre of trained teachers to create standardized question papers across classes 9 to 12. Establishing question banks for classes 9 and 11 and developing blueprints for question papers are also advised. This approach is suggested for classes 10 and 12 as well.
Administrative Recommendations
- The guidelines for school affiliation should be finalized according to PARAKH’s recommendations. Boards should conduct periodic reviews and grant affiliations for a maximum of three years. Additionally, empowering boards to recognize and regulate schools, taking action against unrecognized institutions, is advised.
Curriculum and Infrastructure
- Boards should integrate digital literacy, including coding and cybersecurity, and adhere to the National Curriculum Framework for School Education.
- Ensuring that affiliated schools have essential infrastructure such as toilets, internet access, libraries, and ramps is also recommended.
Process of Formulating Recommendations
- PARAKH assessed 32 boards using parameters like administration, curriculum, assessment, inclusiveness, and infrastructure.
- This involved analyzing two years’ worth of question papers and gathering input through questionnaires and meetings with school boards.
Next Steps
- PARAKH will continue discussions with various school boards to refine the recommendations.
- Initial feedback suggests adjusting the weightage of Class 9 and 10 scores in Class 10 and Class 11 and 12 scores in Class 12.
- Boards will develop a roadmap to meet the report’s benchmarks, with funding provided to support this process.
- Implementing these changes will be gradual and challenging, requiring boards to align with the new standards rather than merely conducting examinations.
- The ‘equivalence’ aspect of NEP is a complex and evolving task, aiming to create a more balanced and standardized education system across India.
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PRACTICE QUESTION
Q. Explain the concept of 'equivalence across boards' proposed by PARAKH and its alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. What are the main challenges and benefits of implementing these recommendations in the Indian education system? |
SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS
