Test to gauge education policies

In an effort to assess the effectiveness of the school education policy, the government is planning to set up a system to regularly test children at all stages on a sample basis across the country.

In an effort to assess the effectiveness of the school education policy, the government is planning to set up a system to regularly test children at all stages on a sample basis across the country.

An 11-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the NCERT director to recommend the modalities for having the testing system in place. “The HRD Ministry visualises that it is necessary to regularly test children at all stages of school education, elementary as well as secondary,” a senior official at the ministry said.

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Crucial test Regular tests on sample basis across the country Test to find out the level of achievement of the students Performance of students to ascertain the success or failure of educational policies and programmes at state and Central level

The committee, among other responsibilities, will recommend which body or organisation, existing or new, can be entrusted with the task. The national-level test will help find out the level of achievement of the students, which will point towards the effectiveness and suitability of the school education system.

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The performance of students will give an idea of the success or failure of policies and programmes of the Centre or states. The test will also provide comparative data across states, regions and gender groups.

“The body which will be entrusted with the task, will conduct national, regional and district level surveys of educational attainments,” he said. The committee will give its recommendations on the manner and periodicity in which the test should be conducted.