Hold national test after class 12 for college admissions, recommends panel

NEW DELHI: Suggesting major changes in the school examination structure, the committee that formulated the National Policy of Education 2016 has proposed "on-demand board exams" for candidates, a two-part system of exams for Class X and a national-level test after Class XII, similar to the SAT in the US.

The committee, which recently submitted its report to the HRD ministry, said public board exams were "useful" but there was a need to relieve stress and "offer flexibility." It recommended moving towards on-demand, online board exams that can be taken when the candidate is ready.

It also proposed a national-level SAT-type test open to all who have passed Class XII- irrespective of the examination board- to fix the problem of multiple entrance tests for admission to college courses.

The panel suggested holding Class X exams at two levels - higher and lower- especially in mathematics and sciences, for the same syllabus.
Students who intend to drop these subjects in Class XI, or exit the academic system for vocational education, will have the option of taking the lower level exam. This, the committee hoped "will reduce...anxiety and stress."

The Union HRD ministry will now take a call on the panel's recommendations.

If implemented, the panel's recommendations could signal a return of the Class X exam for schools under the Central Board of Secondary Education, where the test has been replaced by 'continuous comprehensive evaluation and summative assessment II.'

Most other boards continue to have full public exams. The committee felt schools need a "futuristic curriculum" but upheld the validity of the National Curriculum Framework 2005. It recommended reduction of "curriculum load," a greater focus on "self-learning" and reforms that address "national needs" including "social cohesion, religious amity and national integration."

While accepting that the mother-tongue was best for learning, and upholding the three-language formula, the report stresses learning Hindi, English and Sanskrit. Sanskrit "requires special emphasis", the panel said.

It "should not be treated as a 'classical' language but as a living phenomenon," the report said, recommending introduction of Sanskrit as an "independent subject" at the primary or upper-primary level.

"While the mother tongue can continue to be the medium of instruction, the study of Hindi is desirable to bring all Indians together as citizens of a single nation.

The study of English is equally of importance to enable her to transcend geographical boundaries and function effectively at the national and international level," the report said. It also proposed designing "open school courses...at all levels".

The team commented on availability of sports facilities, importance of physical development and earmarking "specific, non-divertible" funds for sports but the only concrete suggestion it made in this regard was that "every school should be encouraged to bring yoga in as part of the school process, and [help] every child...learn the basics of yoga."