In a first, state survey to give impetus to school education in Punjab

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, August 7

With an aim to strengthen the school education system more effectively, the state Education Department, under the leadership of Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla and Education Secretary Krishan Kumar, is all set to conduct the Punjab Achievement Survey (PAS), a first-of-its kind initiative by any state.

As per information, the PAS would not only prepare the students and teachers for the ‘National Achievement Survey’ well in advance but this exercise would go a long way in further strengthening the foundation of understanding level as well as enhancing the reasoning ability of the students.

The PAS would be conducted in all the government schools of the state and the students from primary to Class XII would also participate in it. “It will be based on the parameters of the National Achievement Survey and the learning outcome of the students would be assessed on the basis of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) as per the prescribed syllabus of selective subjects, including English, Science, Math and social studies of different classes,” said Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla, adding that with this, they also aimed at achieving the first rank in the National Achievement Survey.

He said to prepare the students as well as the teachers for the survey, a comprehensive programme of organising quiz in August and mock tests from September has been planned. “A training programme of the district mentors, block mentors, Parho Punjab District Coordinators (PPDCs), Block Master Trainers (BMTs) and Cluster Master Trainers (CMTs) has already been started. The question bank to develop comprehensibility of the basic concepts of different subjects among the students is being prepared,” he added.

Besides, with a view to conduct the PAS meticulously, the department has also started organising webinars to sensitise the DEO, Deputy District Education Officers, Block Primary Education Officers, Parho Punjab Parhao Punjab Coordinators, Zila Sikhiya Sudhar Teams and Social Media Coordinators about the parametres, tools, procedures for the survey, so that all of them could play their role.

Education Secretary Krishan Kumar said, “The officials and the teachers of the Education Department have braved the unprecedented pandemic and have done exceptionally well to provide quality education through digital mode to make ‘Ghar Baithe Sikhiya’ programme successful. Now, I am sure that they would successfully execute the PAS.”

He further said as the education was a tri-polar process, the parents should also be involved to ensure successful execution of the survey.

Know Punjab Achievement Survey

• Punjab Achievement Survey (PAS) is a representative sample of schools from all districts aimed at understanding the health of the education system in government and government aided schools. The students from primary to Class XII would participate
• It will be based on the parameters of National Achievement Survey and the learning outcome of the students would be assessed on the basis of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) as per the prescribed syllabus of selective subjects, including English, science, maths and social studies of different classes

How will it help?

• It will help the state government understand how effectively the government school system is working in the state based on student learning. The findings of the survey will also help in improving the teaching-learning methodologies, thus bringing about qualitative improvements in school education.

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