Ask teachers who met Std XII pupils 2 years back, taught an academic session online, losing opportunity to know them personally
Teachers of the state board say they have taught Std XII students face-to-face for just a year. Representation pic
All the confusion over now-cancelled Std XII board exams and the assessment has not only stressed out the students, but also the teachers. Faced with an unconventional method of evaluation, teachers wonder how they will fairly assess their pupils whom they met just two years back, and interacted face-to-face for only one academic session.
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Girish Salve Chetana College Vice Principal said, “In the 21st century, the pandemic conditions are governed under the Epidemic Diseases Act from the 1800s. The situation is the same for academics and exams. When it comes to codes/regulations for assessments, we have answers to all the situations such as early/late exams; combined exams, continuing pending exams. But we do not even have a mention of what if for any reason there is no exam.”
Many teachers, especially of Std XII, are now speaking about the challenges in the evaluation process for board results sans regular exams. “For SSC results, teachers are aware of the academic performance of their students from the past few years, since the school is the same. Whereas for Std XII, we have met them only in Std XI. And one year was completely online because of the pandemic. How do you gauge a student’s understanding levels in an online class?” asked a teacher from a junior college in Vile Parle.
Unlike state boards, non-state boards such as CBSE have schools teaching up to Std XII, but teachers there are still faced with their own challenges. “That [Std XII] is a completely separate section; not to forget a totally different type of curriculum with three faculties. This too is equally challenging,” said a teacher from a CBSE school, adding that they have begun online internal assessment with project works and viva.
Parents worried too
Parents, too, have raised similar concerns. Ravi Kishor, father of a Std XII student from Kandivli, said, “A lot of this now depends on the teachers.
Many Std XII students are busy preparing for various entrance tests and tend to neglect regular board studies. In most cases, Std XI is just a formality as students consider this as a rest year after the Std X board exam. And then Std XII was online-only. These students have not gotten a chance to prove their full academic potential to their teachers.”
Like Kishor, many parents have expressed the need to include Std X marks as well for Std XII evaluation. “Std XII results, otherwise, will be based completely on teachers and their understanding of the evaluation system, and students’ capabilities. Students per se do not get a chance to show their full potential,” shared Leena Shah, a parent.
However, optimistic views among teachers are reassuring. “There is definitely no such training for teachers as there never was any such requirement. But it is not impossible. In fact, a lot of impossible things in academics have worked out this year, the biggest example is virtual academics. Teachers will be able to do this too. But first, we need to know what will be the process,” shared Mukund Aandhalkar, coordinator, Maharashtra State Federation of Junior College Teachers’ Organisation.
Dr Madhu Singh, principal of Billabong High International School in Malad, said, “Cancelation of board exam was inevitable. But we have been preparing ourselves and our teachers for all possible scenarios. Training and guidance were already given to teachers by our academic team. We are looking forward to the assessment directives that the CBSE board will soon roll out.”
The EuroSchool in Thane, which is affiliated to the ICSE board, is also confident of working out a fair evaluation method. “I am sure the board will guide us perfectly with clear directives and suggestions on student assessments and we will be fully prepared and follow the directives to ensure fair evaluation of each child,” said Jyotsna Mayadas from EuroSchool.
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