High marks, on average, in school board exams are a relatively recent phenomenon. They seem to conceal underlying problems. Usha Ram, a former school principal who was also a member of the CBSE governing board, speaks to Pratigyan Das on the subject:

What is your take on the cent per cent marks that students have got this year?

Marking schemes have changed. The pattern of questions has changed completely. If there are straightforward questions, naturally the child will write according to the marking schemes and he/she has to be given marks accordingly. Having said that, I must admit, it’s not a good sign. But that’s how it is now.

Why do you think there has been a change in the marking pattern?

Earlier good marks were usually scored by the science students. Humanities students missed out because they didn’t have practicals. With practicals introduced in humanities, it has become easier for them to score as well. Presently, each humanities subject has a practical. In practicals they get full marks, so the marks have gone up. I don’t want to undermine the students. There are students who work hard. The introduction of objective type and multiple choice questions started the trend. It changed the marking pattern. Examiners were asked to mark on a scale from zero to 100. So, if a child has written everything and the marking scheme has all those points, then the child gets full marks. Another problem is that if we make papers a little hard, there is a big hue and cry.

Aren’t we setting a wrong precedent by focussing more on marks?

Yes, I personally feel we are setting a wrong example. We should focus more on learning. Learning and understanding concepts are more important than the rat race of getting marks. In fact, in the process of chasing good marks we tend to forget emotional intelligence, social skills and other aspects. This pattern is also affecting the cut-off mark in the universities. In the next CBSE meeting, I plan to take it up in a big way as I am in the examination evaluation committee. Probably things can change for the better in the future. Besides, such an inflated marking pattern is putting pressure on state boards to follow the trend. Since CBSE is a trend setter, we have to be very careful about the marking scheme.

What are your suggestions?

Personally, I feel we need to change the evaluation method. The marking scheme should be such that too much scoring is not there. Questions should be more challenging so you have to think about them, rather than just rely on rote learning. If a child thinks and writes, I don’t think an examiner would give full marks because the answer will vary from student to student. In the present case, students just pick up from the book and end up getting full marks. Rote learning is not helping a child in any way. CBSE should review paper setting all over again.

What ails our education system?

It is very percentage oriented. A school is considered as very good if its students have scored more than 90%. These days no one looks at students who score less than 90%. We need to encourage a child to be innovative and to grow naturally; lateral thinking is very important. Unfortunately, in India we don’t allow students to question teachers. Even our universities are found wanting to some extent.

CBSE has taken a few initiatives to make learning fun, such as making art mandatory.

Yes, making art education mandatory is a good move, as is physical education. Unfortunately, no one checks the overall system. But it is a good beginning and I feel art and physical education will now be given importance.

India will be a part of PISA. Will it improve our education standard?

We can’t get away from these things. We have to be a part of the global system and adjust ourselves accordingly. We should, however, know how to go about it. We can’t afford to stagnate.

What’s your advice to students who have above 90% and those who have scored average marks?

Students who have scored average marks shouldn’t worry about these marks and concentrate on their learning. My advice to the 90% holders: Don’t get too elated. It’s just that sometimes you do very well but ultimately it is the learning which is more important, not the marks. For parents, my humble advice would be: Don’t pressure your child to chase marks.