20% improvement in results expected

What measures the Higher Education Department has planned to improve the results of the board examinations in government schools?

A three-pronged strategy has been devised. It includes measures such as pre-board exams, school-level strategies and improvement plans like revision classes, practice tests and reviewing progress at the Deputy Director level in every district with special monitoring of lowest performing schools through weekly improvement reports.

Do you think measures such as pre-board exams and remedial classes can help?

Since this is the first time that a slew of measures such as pre-board exams and remedial classes for weak students have been introduced, we expect at least 20 per cent improvement in the board examination results this year. However, we will strive for significant improvement next year onwards.

What problems are being faced in the implementation of the remedial measures?

The schedule of the pre-board exams was stretched over 20 days. It seemed a lengthy schedule and school principals wanted it to be reduced to about a week. Efforts will be made to conduct pre-board exams in November this year so that schools that close during the winter have adequate time for remedial classes and other follow-up action to help weak students.

How do you intend to improve the strategy?

Comprehensive feedback will be sought from teachers, deputy directors as well as representatives of the teachers’ associations and senior department officials. Keeping in view the interests of the students, requisite changes will be made in the strategy for both categories of schools that have vacation during the winter and the summer. Efforts will be made to appoint a district-level resource person to analyse the shortcoming of the programme through a gap analysis and suggest requisite measures to make it more effective.

Winter vacation in schools in January and February hinders the implementation of initiatives such as remedial classes for weak students. How will you deal with this challenge?

Winter vacation is a major challenge and discussions will be held with the representatives of teachers’ associations to reschedule it so that improvement endeavours can be taken during the crucial time before the board examinations.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.