Mumbai witnessed a powerful call to dismantle the traditional education system's fixation on final examinations. At a significant gathering on Sunday, educators, policymakers, and parents united to demand a fundamental transformation in how students are evaluated, moving away from stressful, one-time tests.
Moving Beyond the 'Terminal Exercise' of Exams
The 16th state-level education conference, held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, centered on the theme "National Education Policy 2020: New Directions in Assessment." A strong consensus emerged that the prevailing marks-centric model is fueling a severe mental health crisis among the city's youth.
Member of Parliament and executive president of the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Supriya Sule, set the tone. She emphasized that the purpose of assessment must evolve. "It should be about comprehending a student's entire learning journey and holistic development, not merely about handing out marks," Sule stated. She pointed to the damaging effects of intense competition and sky-high parental expectations, advocating for an "ability-based" educational approach that respects individual learning speeds.
Echoing this sentiment, Vivek Sawant, chief mentor of MKCL, criticized conventional board exams as a "terminal exercise" that extinguishes the innate joy of learning. "When marks become the only goal, the very essence of education is compromised," he remarked. Sawant spotlighted the national reform initiative PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development). This system aims to replace the standard report card with a multifaceted, continuous progress tracker.
The Roadmap for Change: PARAKH and Continuous Evaluation
The conference detailed a vision where a student's true potential is gauged through consistent, year-long observation rather than a single high-pressure performance. The proposed shift under NEP 2020 and tools like PARAKH focus on:
- Multidimensional Evaluation: Assessing creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication alongside academic knowledge.
- Continuous Tracking: Moving from a final "judgment day" exam to an ongoing review of a student's development.
- Reducing Exam Stress: Alleviating the immense psychological burden caused by the "do-or-die" nature of current finals.
Implementation Hurdles on the Ground
While the direction was celebrated, attendees did not shy away from discussing the significant challenges in implementing this paradigm shift. Key concerns raised include:
The Digital Divide: Ensuring that new digital tools and algorithms do not widen existing gaps or replace the essential human connection in teaching.
Teacher Training: There is an urgent need for large-scale capacity building. Educators must be equipped to assess holistic "learning outcomes" rather than just mechanically grading answer sheets.
Fostering Critical Thinking: A systemic move is required to prioritize logic, analysis, and value-based learning over rote memorization in classroom practices and assessments.
The conference in Mumbai has clearly signaled that the era of defining a child's worth by a single exam score is nearing its end. The path forward, as charted by NEP 2020, is one of compassion, continuous growth, and a more authentic measurement of a student's capabilities.
