No examination Policy As students, we were bombarded with examinations in the school, college, university. We could learn a lot from the examination, perhaps it was the beginning of knowledge. One of our professors called it “inevitable evil”, another one said it was “a formality”. But I am convinced that it is necessary. Our study should not be exam-oriented nor job-oriented, but life-oriented. Yet, without exams students can become too lazy. In my teaching career, I noticed that it was necessary. With this experience, I was shocked with the new “no-fail policy” or “promotion without exams” (automatic promotion) in the schools up to class VIII. 1. There should be proper evaluation of students, in whatever form it is. Otherwise, our teaching may be useless. There will be poor quality of education. At present, students follow the system of “mugging” for the exams”, without exams, there will be no knowledge at all. A SSC. Student told me that he forgot everything after the exam for which he prepared painstakingly. He could not answer any question on history. In a school I saw one mother asking the heqadmistress to make her son “pass”, whe his marks sheet was full only of “zeroes”… Quality of education has to be improved. Rote learning should be replaced by intelligent, creative, concept learning. But without exams, nothing will be left. Perhaps, fewer suicides! But there may be suicides when one fails in life! Without exams it will be worse. 2. All students will be treated equally as far as the progress is concerned. Good students will not have any incentive to study well. They will fail miserably in motivation. 3. Automatic promotion will lead the students and teachers to neglect their duty. They will take it easy. Exams force them to be on their toes. 4. Good students will be badly affected by the whole easy-going atmosphere. 5. There will not be a test for the progress of students and for the efficiency of teachers. 6. In short: Taking promotion for granted will be a step towards decay of education. Let a better sense prevail! Regards. Fr.Ivo
