CBSE’s problem-solving pattern gets thumbs up

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 27

School heads of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated schools believe that switching question paper pattern to problem-solving will assist students in developing critical reasoning.

“There has always been a mix of application-based questions and knowledge-based questions in the board exams. If the pattern will switch to problem-solving questions, certainly it will discourage rote learning among students. We will have to train students on concept building. Generally, knowledge-based questions are for an average lot so they obtain a decent score. The board has always adopted a balanced approach keeping in mind weak students as well,” said Anu Verma, Principal of Police DAV School.

She said, “The change in exam pattern will help students preparing for competitive exams. Teachers will show more experiments to students than emphasising on cramming answers.”

Mona Singh, Principal, Guru Nanak Public School, Model Town Extension said, “It is a good move if the CBSE plans to revamp question pattern of the board exams. At present, we are testing memory of a child with existent pattern. It is more of a rote learning process. The move will certainly inculcate problem-solving skills among children and we will have more balanced adults. If lessons are open-ended, it will cause students to think and analyse a problem.”

BCM Basant Avenue Principal Vandana Shahi said, “The problem-solving approach is best for overall education system in India. If we are able to adapt properly, there can be nothing like it. The current education system is cramming oriented. When the curriculum is based on understanding, brain automatically tunes to problem-solving.”