In 2009, Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) was introduced in CBSE schools for grades six to nine. Many state governments had also adopted this format. As per CCE, the student is evaluated based on all aspects and not just academic performance. The primary motive behind introducing this scheme was to reduce the pressure on the students and help them perform better in the various activities in school. Also, under this scheme, the marks are replaced by grades. The grades are awarded to students based on their performance in series of curricular, extra-curricular activities, and academics. Instead of a board exam, many small tests are given throughout the year to continuously evaluate the student.
What and How
Over the years, the CCE scheme received a lot of backlash from parents and students alike. They complained that the scheme increased the burden on students instead of reducing it. Now, CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has formally decided to remove this scheme and introduce a new format which is a uniform system of assessment, examination, and report card. This system aims to standardize the teaching and evaluation system across all schools under CBSE.
As per the new system, all the students in CBSE schools will be under the “uniform assessment” process from class 6 and all schools will have to follow the CBSE’s template. All the examinations and report cards from class 6 onwards will have the CBSE logo.
For classes 6 to 8, the report card will have identical rows which will specify periodic, terms, subject enrichment, half yearly/ yearly marks scored in each subject with the corresponding grades, and notebook. Students will also be evaluated on a 3-point scale for co-scholastic assessment.
In class 9, the format of the report card will change. The report card will have the score of a single yearly term which consists of notebook, a periodic test, annual examination, and subject enrichment. Here, the co-scholastic assessment will be on a five-point grading scale.
The exam format will also be changed. In class 6, the portions of the half-yearly exam will be the syllabus covered until the exam time whereas; the final examination will have a different format.
Expert Opinion
Board chairperson, R K Chaturvedi said that schools under CBSE have been following different formats for assessment and examinations for classes 6 to 9. This change in format is also linked to the re-introduction of board exams from the next academic year. He also said that this new format is a gradual movement towards providing quality education through standardized process of examination, report card, assessment, and teaching.
Another important aspect that proves the necessity of a uniform system was that disparities in the current system followed by different schools were causing a problem for students who were migrating from one school to another. As the number of affiliated schools has increased from 309 in 1962 to 18,688 at present, a uniform system will ensure a smooth transition for students migrating from one school to another.