Single entrance test is a good beginning

Multiplicity of entrance tests is a heavy load to students and their parents. The testing agencies levy a huge sum from them by way of conducting different tests at various centres in India. . Union HRD Minster Kapil Sibal’s restructuring of entrance examination is a good beginning but I could not endorse his diluting of education process by abandoning examination system. Class X and class XII examinations are must for students to take their study seriously. A small dose of occasional stress is very necessary for every individual to excel in life. What is the fun in promoting all the students to class XII and put them in utter despair by not allowing them to qualify in the entrance test for Engineering or medical degree?

The proposal to make uniform science and mathematics curriculum is not a new one as in CBSE and in many of the State Curriculum NCERT pattern is accepted. Truly speaking ISC texts and course materials are seen more good than NCERT study materials. Though the NCERT claim that their study materials are of the same standard as that followed in institutions in western countries, I would say these materials rather make revulsion in most of the Indian students. If the decision is for a core curriculum, then it should be suited to the Indian students and not for westerners.

While welcoming the new single entrance test ensuring admission to all engineering and medical courses, what I have to suggest is the need for single admission test for all jobs of the same category. For instance, in all management schools and colleges in the country the job admission test or interview is done erratically causing financial loss and stress to candidates. For instance, consider the case of candidate with Net and PhD seeking a job opportunity in private or government colleges in Kerala. Application fee is alone around Rs500 and a candidate has to pay Rs 100000 to attend the interviews alone in 200 odd colleges in addition to travel and stay expense. Is there any possible solution for this never-ending misery? A common entrance test for job aspirants is also a must in this circumstance.

Serious effort to improve the study atmosphere in schools and colleges is also very significant. The laboratory works should be given due recognition and the valuation should be done seriously. The Kerala model of 100 percent marks for non-sense writing in the examination should be stopped. When a study material is given and asked to study question should be within that study material. No examination should be conducted to exhibit the ‘vast’ knowledge of the question setter. The reasoning and other abilities will be gained by students in their future life. Moreover, in the proposed syllabus science symbols and terms should be given in English itself. The students should not be strained to study all the translations of science subject in their later classes.
Really, what Mr Kapil Sibal has taken is a bold decision but it should not be a meager replication of the Kerala crafted education model.

K A Solaman