ABOLISH EXAMS ... DESTROY EDUCATION

Recently there have been some significant changes in the education system of our country. The changes are much publicized as a measure to make education less hectic and more pleasurable to the young learners. One of the drastic measures taken in accordance to the proposed reforms is the abolition of the pass/ fail or the examination system. In my opinion this is nothing but an impractical step taken that may seem to look like lessening the burden but in reality will result in hampering the quality of education. In the long run this will definitely have dreadful effects on the country's prospects. More than abolishing the examination system, the total system rather needs reformation whereby the pressure can be made less while at the same time evaluation can also be done. With the severe lack of proper infrastructure, imparting proper education is itself an uphill task in India. After that, if this new system is added to this, it will call for complete collapse. A student will never have the urge to study unless he has to prove his credentials somewhere. A future career or higher education is too distant a goal to enthuse these young minds. Also, all the students may not have similar aptitude for all the subjects. In that case, the absence of this evaluation system will hamper the over all learning. A student having no interest in science will therefore neglect that as he will no longer have to pass that subject in order to move on to the next level. But at school level overall nourishment and preparation is essential, specialized subject study being essentially a higher education prerogative. More than obliterating the examination system, reforming that is what is necessary. Instead of having an annual examination that burdens the children with the bulk of year long studies, it can be cut short into a number of shorter tests all round the year. It will enable the teacher to do justice to the individual talents. Even the students will be able to rectify their earlier mistakes. Parents will get the chance to rectify the faults of their wards and keep track of their gradual progress. Another implementation can be, to do away with the marking system and replace that with gradation. That will reduce the rat race for marks and the top most position in the class. That will enable the students to assess their aptitude, progress and supply ample opportunities to correct their mistakes while at the same time reduce the stress and the psychological adverse effects on the child concerned.