AICTE to train 400 engineering teachers to set open-book exams

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) plans to train around 400 senior faculty from major engineering colleges across the country to frame questions for open-book examinations in engineering exams. The move is part of AICTE’s initiative to overhaul the way exams are conducted for engineering courses.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) plans to train around 400 senior faculty from major engineering colleges across the country to frame questions for open-book examinations in engineering exams. The move is part of AICTE’s initiative to overhaul the way exams are conducted for engineering courses.

These 400 teachers would then act as mentors and may conduct induction courses for new recruits in the profession. (HT File Photo)

“The regulator has realised that the first training sessions for examination reforms needs to be given to teachers. Therefore, it has been decided that special sessions will be held for faculty members of engineering colleges on the art of framing question papers. It is expected that as many as 400 teachers will be trained in these sessions,” a senior official said.

These 400 teachers would then act as mentors and may conduct induction courses for new recruits in the profession. Initially, colleges may be asked to go for open book-exams for elective subjects, another AICTE official said. According to the AICTE’s examination reform policy released earlier this week, open-book exams tend to be less stressful as they are less demanding.

“Open-book exams shall do away with the requirement of rote learning and emphasise on deeper understanding necessary for applications in real time situations. All this however shall require quantum change in mindsets of teachers, examiners and administrators,” said eminent educationist and University Grants Commission (UGC) ex-member Prof Inder Mohan Kapahy.