Students in Class 1-9 in Kerala to have annual exams at home

Virtual classes for Kerala school students from June 1
Students attending an examination online (File pic)

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has decided to conduct the annual examinations for students from Classes 1-9 this year from home in view of rising COVID-19 cases. 

As part of the exercise, the state’s Education Department has started the distribution of a booklet containing questions and tasks which the students have to answer and return by May 10.

In the first phase of the exercise aimed at evaluating the academic standard of students, classes 8 and 9 are being covered. After receiving the answered booklets, teachers would carry out the valuation. A booklet for one class would include questions covering all subjects. Instead of direct questions, students would be given tasks to test their creative abilities. Students can seek the advice of parents or teachers to write the answers. There would be around 20 tasks under each subject.

Teachers concerned

Meanwhile, the teachers have been allotted a time of only 10 days to carry out the valuation of the booklets returned by the students. According to them, this is hardly sufficient to complete the exercise as all subjects are included in one booklet. Moreover, as teachers dealing with various subjects would be forced to exchange the booklets to carry out the valuation, safety issues are also involved, they said.

The role of parents

It is in view of the severe COVID-19 situation that the Education Department has prepared the booklet to evaluate the academic standards of students even when they remain home. The authorities have urged parents to inspire students to complete the tasks mentioned and clear their doubts. Students can also contact teachers for help. Parents should also ensure that their wards answer the questions related to all subjects before the deadline given to them by the teachers.

While the government has already announced that all students in classes 1-9 would be promoted, their final score will be decided based on the answers in the booklet and the continuous evaluation process.

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