Background

The current educational landscape in India is characterized by a multitude of school boards, each with its own curriculum, assessment practices, and timelines for examination and results. This fragmentation has resulted in inconsistencies among student learning outcomes and creates challenges for students migrating between boards. Additionally, traditional assessment methods often prioritize rote memorization over critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This disconnect impedes the development of 21st-century skills required to succeed in the current globalized world.

Rationale

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 (para 4.41) proposes to set up a National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) as a standard-setting body under Ministry of Education that fulfils the basic objectives of setting norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards of India. In pursuance of the provisions of the NEP 2020, on 8th February 2023, Ministry of Education under NCERT established PARAKH, as India’s first National Assessment Centre which will be an independent constituent body. This Centre will also advise school boards regarding new assessment patterns and latest research, promoting collaborations among school boards. It will also become an instrument for the sharing of best practices among school boards, and for ensuring equivalence of academic standards among learners across all school boards. The session would deliberate on the findings made by PARAKH in its study on existing practices of school education boards, new assessment patterns and latest research to promote equivalence and roadmap to promote collaborations among school boards.

Objectives of the Conference

This proposed conference brings together representatives from various school boards to discuss the following:

• Developing Synergies: The conference seeks to encourage collaboration among stakeholders like PARAKH, NCERT, SCERTs, State School Education Departments and State School Boards to implement NEP-recommended assessment reforms.
• Equivalence among Boards: The conference will explore strategies for designing assessment frameworks with shared standards for defining competencies, setting rubrics, and utilizing best practices to ensure equivalence among school boards.
• New Assessment Methods: The conference will discuss the adoption of innovative assessment tools that encourage Competency-Based Learning, including methods aligned with the National Credit Framework and the Academic Bank of Credit.
• Technological Integration: The conference will explore the role of educational technology in creating effective assessment methods for the 21st century. This includes exploring methods for utilizing technology to improve fairness, track student performance, and enhance transparency and security of student records.
• Futuristic Visualization: The conference will discuss and explore how PARAKH’s call for equivalence among School Boards helps to prepare our students, for the future workforce for a more globalized world to fulfill the vision of a developed India by 2047. It will also focus on Facilitating National Benchmarking and International Comparability with an Ethical and Responsible use of Technology that is the need of the hour.

Expected Outcomes

• Collaborative Action Plan: The conference aims to develop a collaborative action plan for implementing NEP-recommended assessment reforms across all School Boards.
• National Assessment Framework: The conference aims to facilitate the development of a unified national assessment framework that ensures consistency and equivalence among boards.
• Technological Tools: The conference will identify and recommend innovative technological tools for effective and efficient assessment practices.

Conclusion

This thematic session presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders in Indian education to discuss and design a unified and effective assessment system aligned with the vision of NEP 2020. This system will promote student learning outcomes, ensure seamless student mobility across boards, and prepare students for success in the evolving world.