The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will continue with the new question paper pattern for the half-yearly examinations too. The new pattern was introduced for the first-term examinations in State schools just ahead of Onam.
Post exams, the SCERT and Samagra Shiksha Kerala conducted a random analysis of students’ results as part of the State government’s comprehensive quality education programme and found that it did not seem promising. Students scored fewer marks, likely because the questions in the new question paper pattern were not direct and required critical thinking and analytical responses. Data showed that the number of schools where students secured very high marks had come down. Also, Mathematics and Social Science remained a tough nut to crack for many students.
Officials point out that in Grades II, IV, VI, VIII, and X, new textbooks had been introduced only this year. Lack of familiarity with the content could have played a part in the disappointing show. Even in Grades I, III, V, VII, and IX, students were only into the second year of the new textbooks.
SCERT officials say they would conduct an analysis of the second-term results too in order to check for any improvement, especially as the academic year progresses and students get a better idea of what kind of questions to expect in the coming examinations.
