Page 15 - EVALUATION ENGLISH

Rationale for Evaluation Reforms

In India, examinations play a pivotal role and are a deciding factor of career choice of students;
ability to pursue the right higher qualifications and determine the degree of knowledge possessed.
The global competitive forces and the wave of disruptions in industry have brought in sweeping
changes both in terms of skill requirement and the decision making capabilities of human resource,
thereby exerting tremendous pressure to perform in complex situations.

However, assessment of students currently existing in the university system is a matter of concern.
Committees that have been setup in the past for improvement in the examination system have
recommended changes in the examination system. The same pattern exists in terms of final
examination as a standard or decider of fate of millions of students, thereby rendering changes
suggested to have little or minimal impact. The end of term examination, in many cases, are for
three hours each and which is the sole tool to decide the future career of students.

Current examination system tests memory learning skills. Demands from profession require
students not just to possess information but an individual application to every situation either
routine or complex. This necessitates pressure on students to perform to the best of their
capabilities. Memory learning may be required but not adequate to performs in the challenging
environment that currently prevails. There is a need to assess application skills or skills of higher
ability like analysis, creation, evaluation etc.

Standardisation of assessment has its flaws as every student differs in terms of intellect and ability
and as such one tool of measurement is akin to “one size fits all”, which fails to identify genuine
abilities and potential of students.

Examinations, in its current form are moments of stress and anxiety for students, both pre-
examination as well as post examination. Coupled to this are issues of malpractices which have
impact on their credibility.

Reforms thus are much needed to ensure credibility and the outcome of the assessment system.
There is a need to have more horizontal assessment modes rather than one single vertical mode
that decides fate of students. Reforms in examination for all forms of education i.e. formal face
to face mode, Open and distance learning mode etc., should thus aim at overall development of
students in terms of their critical thinking, problem solving ability, right application of knowledge,
and maintain ethics.

Evaluation Reforms in Higher Educational Institutions 13