WhatsApp-based evaluation programme Swadhyay to the rescue of teachers, students

Students can solve multiple-choice questions over WhatsApp, for which the assessment report too, is shared immediately

With schools shut and no clarity on evaluation of Classes I to IX, the Swadhyay Programme launched by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), has come to the rescue of teachers. More than 28 lakh students across the state are taking these WhatsApp-based evaluations on curriculum of their grade. The council is now planning to extend it for Classes X and XII.

Swadhyay, which literally means self-study, is a WhatsApp-based weekly assessment programme for state-board schools. All a student needs is a phone with WhatsApp to solve multiple-choice questions for which the assessment report too, is shared immediately. While schools in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai are still functioning remotely, other parts of the state where schools had reopened have shut again due to the sudden spike in cases. The current situation had made it impossible to conduct evaluations. The SCERT's Swadhyay programme has come in handy in these circumstances.

The initiative was launched in November last year, and it already has over 28 lakh students registered with it. "This is an easy process for all students, because it doesn't need technology support. These days almost everybody has WhatsApp. Multiple students can take these tests on a single WhatsApp number and at any time of the day. All these aspects have made it a preferred choice for many," shared an official from SCERT.

At present, Swadhyay only offers objective questions. "But, experts are currently working on making subjective questions possible on a similar system. If that pans out, the assessment will be far more effective and will give a better idea of students' performance. The council is also thinking of extending it till Class XII," said Vikas Garad, Deputy Director of SCERT.

28L
Number of students that have registered for the test