Schoolchildren will face more testing times

MUMBAI: Schoolchildren will now have to take eight more examinations a year. The state school education department has increased the number of annual exams from six to 14.

The pattern had been implemented in government schools last year. It is now being introduced in all schools under the state board.

Every month, students will take a set of five tests of 10 marks each. In all, there will be eight such exams, in addition to the existing four unit tests and two semester exams.

School Education Minister Vasant Purke said: “The continuous evaluation will improve the quality of education.”

Purke also proposed written tests for schoolteachers from the new academic year. Initially it will be implemented for teachers from government schools.

The 14-exam proposal has met with stiff opposition from schools. Both teachers and students feel it will be a burden. “Teachers will find it difficult to set so many question papers and also assess the results,” said Zarin Virji, principal of St John’s School, Goregaon.

Earlier, teachers from BMC schools moved court against the school education department’s proposals. The appeal is pending.

Purke said strict action will be initiated against teachers who refuse to abide by the orders. “They can even be dismissed from service,” he warned.