CBSE to mark character of students

One cannot ignore the visible change in the attitude of students towards their teachers and peers in CBSE schools today. Experts suggest that this change has nothing to do with any moral policing, but rather with securing good grades.

CBSE’s continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) scheme will now grade children on their behaviour and values as well, in their Class X exam.

Under CCE’s co-scholastic areas, students with best attitude and behaviour can score on a three point scale, ranging from A+, A and B.

“Yes, there has been a remarkable change in students’ behaviour in the past one year, after CCE was introduced. Students are taking their behaviour with teachers and peers seriously as it will be taken into account as part of the assessment,” said TR Mohana, principal, SG International Public School, affiliated to CBSE.

The CBSE board introduced the CCE Scheme in 2009 to encourage a holistic assessment of students, including both scholastic and co-scholastic aspects. Students are assessed on co-scholastic aspects including attitudes and values, life skills, sports and games, as well as co-curricular activities.

One of the highlights of the CCE scheme is that there will be no board examination for Class X from 2011 for students in CBSE schools, and who do not wish to move out of the CBSE system after Class X.

Most of the teachers and principals of CBSE schools in Bangalore said that the CCE has helped to reduce the stress level of students and had directly contributed to the positive change in their behaviour.

“Now, students know that scoring good grades is not just about writing their exams well. Everything, from their behaviour, attitudes, values, life skills and performance in games and sports would be taken into consideration as part of their assessment,” said Chitra Sharma, vice-principal, Delhi Public School (DPS) South, Bangalore.Teachers say that with assessment based on attitudes and values, students have started taking criticism in the right spirit.

Students have also become more sensitive towards their peers in terms of issues like gender equality, religious and cultural diversities. Students have started showing effectiveness in executing assigned jobs as well.

“Students have also become more cooperative and inspire their fellow students to participate in various school-based activities. Students have started taking initiative and plans activities directed towards the betterment of the school environment,” said Manjula Raman, principal of Army Public School.

“Because of CCE students have started displaying positive attitude towards their peers, adults and community, at large. This has helped students to develop leadership quality too.”

Currently, CCE is applicable for students from Classes VI to X. The CBSE board is planning to introduce CCE for class XI from 2011.