Now, attend school even after exams

BMC's education department issues circular to extend academic year till April 27, ruining holiday plans of 8 lakh primary school students in the city

The nail-biting wait for summer vacations just got longer as a circular issued by the BMC's education department has asked primary schools to complete "continuous comprehen- sive evaluation" between April 5 and 27.
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BMC's education officer says the extension of the academic year is part of the improved education policy designed to raise the standards and quality of education

This means around eight lakh students will have to attend classes regularly even after their annual exam gets over on April 9 and summer vacation starts.

Some of the city schools received the circular on Monday, 18 days after it was issued, while many are still unaware of it.
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Though no student will be detained till Std VIII as per the Right to Education Act, the revised schedule can be a shock for lakhs of students who are eagerly waiting for the end of academic year by the second week of April.

Usually, annual exams get over by mid-April and students need not attend classes thereafter. Teachers are busy during that period for the preparation of final results.

But the latest circular (copy with MiD DAY) by the BMC has surprised all. According to the education department, this is an exercise to improve education standards.

Abasaheb Jadhav, education officer of the BMC, said, "Students will have to attend schools between April 5 and 27 for the final evaluation of the year.

However, this should not be viewed in a negative light as this is a part of improved education policy designed to raise the standards and quality of education."

Incidentally, Teachers' Union is also singing the education department's tune. Union leader Ramesh Joshi said, "The evaluation process should be welcomed by all as it is meant to improve the quality of education.

Unfortunately, the positive aspects of the revised education policy are not conveyed to teachers and students."

School administrations are yet to decide on implementation and execution of the evaluation process. Abha Dharampal, Principal of Utpal Shanghvi School, Juhu, said, "We haven't received any such circular as yet.

But this can upset our students since many of them have planned their vacations from the third week of April. However, we will plan next course of action once we receive the circular."

Manjur Ahmed, president of Head Masters' Association and principal of Anjuman Khairul Islam Boys School, said, "We haven't received the circular so far, but we welcome the move.

This is part of the new education policy as per the Right to Education Act."

But the schools, which have received the circular, haven't announced the revised schedule to students as yet.

Mugdha Phanase, principal of Kumud Vidya Mandir's primary section, said, "Students will have to attend the schools till April 27 for oral exams.

More than 50 students, who have already applied for railway concessions for travelling, will have to postpone their trips."

The primary section of the school yesterday announced the extension of academic year.

BMC's stand
Abasaheb Jadhav, education officer of the BMC

What is the need for Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation?
Final evaluation has to be done at the end of the second term as per the new education policy devised according to the Right To Education Act, 2010.

Why is this being done now?
Since teachers were assigned Census duty, some primary schools were closed for over 10 days in the last month. The extended time, from April 7 to 27, has been given to complete the evaluation work.u00a0
Teachers are expected to conduct final evaluation (of 100 marks) of the students and submit the data in a prescribed format attached with the circular.

Reactions from parents and students

Shirish Navalkar, father of Anish, a Std V student of Bhagawati Vidyalaya, Thane, said, "The teachers were asked to do Census duties and now students will have to pay for it. Students preparing for their final exams are also disturbed by this extended schedule of exams." An angry Anish chipped in, "I will not go to school after April 10 even if my parents want me to. Students and teachers are always taken for granted be it a Census duty or election duty. This could have been done earlier."

Shaila Raje, mother of Madhura, a Std III student of Indian Education Society's primary section of Mulund East School, said, "Everybody is waiting for the summer vacations. If the school extends classes now, the children will be heartbroken." Madhura said the school hasn't informed them about the new circular. "I have planned my vacations with my grandparents who stay in Pune. I am eagerly waiting for April 9 when the exams get over."

Poorva Sawant Bhosale, mother of Shardul, a Std V student at St Joseph's School, Wadala, said, "We spend a good amount of money on summer camps in Dadar which are conducted in April. If the education department wants to extend the academic year, kids will miss out on the summer camps. This decision should have been conveyed to parents well in advance." Shardul added, "I have got enrolled in a cricket coaching camp at Shivaji Park gymkhana. I have also enrolled in a summer camp. How will I be able to manage?"

What is CCE?
Aided as well as unaided schools which follow SSC board syllabi are expected to follow Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE).
Teachers are expected to evaluate students from Std 1 to VIII in form of oral and practical exams.
Curiosity, creativity and multifaceted talent of students should be assessed during evaluation.
Allow extra time for a student if needed.
If the student remains absent on the day of evaluation exam conduct the test again for him.
If a student is found weak in any subject, the teacher is expected to take extra efforts to help him.

Doctor's take
Dr Anjali Chhabriya, psychiatrist
Students should not be penalised by extending the academic year and curtailing their days of freedom ufffd summer vacations. The students are already stressed because of exams, it is unjust to mount pressure on them for the oral exams now. If the government really wants to ease burden, they should have carried out such evaluations during the normal academic year and not in the extended period.