Monthly tests mooted at all government schools

GANDHINAGAR: After little improvement in the state’s education standards, the Gujarat BJP government is planning to introduce monthly tests for students at 30,000-odd government-run schools as well as extra-curricular activities.
A source privy to the development said, “During Gunotsav and Pravesh Utsav, it was noted that the performance of students is not monitored regularly and hence they don’t perform well at the end of the year, leading to a bad result in the boards. To address this, the government has decided to hold monthly tests at all schools, which will help regularly monitor every child.

The government is developing a new monthly test format, which will soon be started soon on trial basis. From the monthly tests, the government will plan education improvement measures. Monthly tests will also help monitor teachers and the performance of schools.”

“Along with the monthly tests, the state government wants to every Saturday to be celebrated as ‘Joyful Saturday-Masti Ki Pathshala’ day, which will focus on holistic learning through cultural activities, sport, community involvement, etc. The monthly test for one subject can also be conducted on this day. On Saturdays, there will be no formal academic learning.

Teachers will have to interact with students while various indoor and outdoor games with them. Schools will be given a chart of possible activities for Saturdays. The government could give schools activity kits to motivate children to learn outdoor and indoor games. The government is working on a scheme to promote extra-curricular activities at these schools, to raise the interest levels of students,” sources added.