The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Random test to assess standard of school students

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Random test to assess standard of school students

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, DEC. 19. A novel attempt is being made by the Education Department to assess the standard of students in government primary and middle schools across the State.

The Directorate of Elementary Education will conduct a random test called `Achievement test' for third and fifth class students of government schools in all districts on a single day during January. Based on the performance of the students, the Department will initiate steps to improve teaching and learning facilities in primary education, official sources told The Hindu here today.

A meeting convened in Chennai on Saturday by the Director of Elementary Education discussed measures to improve educational standards in primary and middle schools. As a first step, the Department will conduct a random examination in at least 50 elementary schools in each district in all subjects early next year.

"Even the schools will not be informed about the test. The department authorities will conduct the examination without notice to gauge the subject knowledge among the students," the sources said.

Teachers from various districts will first prepare the question papers and the Department will set a single question paper for the test. Valuation will be done in Chennai and based on the performance a set of improvement measures will be taken up.

The Department also decided that school staff would not be used for invigilation during examinations. Instead, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan staff would be deputed for the purpose.

The Department would rank the districts and the 450 Assistant Education Officers in the State after the examination results. For the third and fifth class students, special coaching would be imparted based on the test results.

The Madurai District Elementary Education Officer (in-charge), N. Ammayyappan, said the achievement test would be conducted in around 60 schools. There are a total of 1,400 schools in the district and schools would be selected from all the 15 panchayat unions.

Schools in Madurai district are awaiting the visit of the Justice Sampath Commission, constituted by the Government following the Kumbakonam fire tragedy on July 16 this year. The commission will look into the safety parameters and infrastructural facilities in schools. During its three-day schedule, the commission would inspect schools in Madurai, Theni and Virudhunagar districts.

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