Assam Reacts To CBSE’s Anti-Rote Learning Move

GUWAHATI: The latest move of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to do away with rote learning among students, has generated mixed reactions in Assam with a section of parents being apprehensive about quality assessment.

The CBSE has planned to revamp its Class-XII examinations by setting questions that demand analytical and creative answers in all the papers, and by introducing internal assessment in four subjects.

The Class-X exams will also see changes to the break-up of the internal assessment, which will continue to account for 20 per cent marks in all the papers but will include a few more activities such as quizzes and oral tests.

“It is good to hear that the CBSE has planned to set aside 20 per cent of the marks in the mathematics, language, political science and legal studies papers for internal assessment in Class-XII exams. At present the entire 100 marks that each of these papers carries are assessed through the board exam and many students have no other option but to opt for rote learning to do well in the exams,” a teacher at Don Bosco School here said.

Even though the majority of school teachers and principals have welcomed the CBSE’s exam reform initiatives, saying they would promote quality learning, many students and their parents have expressed fear that the introduction of internal assessment in four Class-XII papers will dilute the quality of assessment.

The CBSE recently issued a circular to the principals of all its affiliated schools informing them about the new plans of the board. The circular has emphasized the importance of critical thinking, problem solving, ability to analyse information, collaboration, effective communication, curiosity and imagination.

According to the circular, the CBSE will introduce subjective-type questions that would demand analytical and creative answers. “Subjective-type questions are set even now but they can be answered just through rote learning,” a teacher said.

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