Monthly exams to replace weekly tests in govt schools

Ranchi: Students enrolled in classes I to XII of govt schools would have to take monthly internal tests in place of weekly tests as designed by the Jharkhand Council of Educational Research and Training (JCERT). The marks obtained would be added to students' scores in half-yearly and annual examinations, making them an integral part of the evaluation process to get promoted to the next academic session.
Oral examinations, comprising five questions and each carrying five marks, would be held for students of classes I and II. A total of 10 questions — five questions of one mark each, two questions of two marks each, one question of three marks, and two questions of four marks — would be asked in each subject for classes III to VIII. Twelve questions — six of one mark each, four of two marks each, and two of three marks each — would be set for students enrolled in classes IX to XII.
Twenty out of the total marks in the final examination would be allotted to the marks scored in the internal assessments. The average of marks obtained in the monthly exams for each subject would be taken into consideration for addition to the final examination result.
The paper format will include a balanced mix of 50 per cent objective and 50 per cent subjective questions. For classes I to VII, the marks from these monthly exams will be included in their internal assessment, while for classes VIII to XII, the internal assessment marks for board examinations will be determined as per the guidelines issued by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC).
State project director at the Jharkhand Education Project Council, Shashi Ranjan, said, "Schools have been instructed to submit the monthly examination reports on the E Vidya Vahini portal to ensure transparency and proper record-keeping. Teachers have been asked to monitor and regularly review the academic progress of students. Students showing outstanding performance in these monthly exams would be recognised at the school level during prayer assembly. Special remedial classes would be held for students whose performance is below average. "
An official of the JCERT said, "Earlier, conducting weekly exams and checking answer sheets consumed a significant amount of time. The switch to monthly examinations would ensure better time management and enhance academic outcome."
A Class VIII student of Govt Middle School, Ormanjhi, Priyanka Kumari, said, "Completing the curriculum within a week was challenging, especially when holidays affected classes. The new system will be manageable for us."
The principal of the Govt Middle School, Ormanjhi, Nasim Ahmed, said, "A one-week duration was too short to cover the syllabus well. A month-long period will provide sufficient time to complete the curriculum."