Reforming Examination System in India | 24 Jun 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Education abruptly cancelled the June 2024 edition of the UGC-NET exam. Additionally, there were allegations regarding the fairness of the NEET-UG exam, citing a potential compromise of its integrity and fairness.

• This has led the government to pass the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 as a measure to curb illegal practices in exams.

What is the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024?

• About:
  • The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 is law passed in the Lok Sabha aimed at addressing the issue of malpractices in government recruitment examinations. It came into effect on 21st June 2024.
• Key Features:
  • It defines various offences related to unfair means, such as paper leaks, the use of fake websites, and collusion with service providers.
  • It prescribes strict penalties, including a minimum jail term of 3-5 years and a fine up to Rs. 1 crore.
  • It holds service providers engaged for exam conduct liable with fines up to Rs 1 crore and a 4-year ban on their involvement in public exams.
  • It empowers police officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police to investigate offences under the Act.
  • It will cover a wide range of central government recruitment exams, including those conducted by UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA.
• Punishable Offences Defined in the Act:
  • Leakage of question paper or answer key
  • Directly or indirectly assisting candidates in an unauthorised manner
  • Tampering with computer networks, resources, or systems
  • Creation of fake websites to cheat or for monetary gain
  • Conduct of fake examinations, issuance of fake admit cards or offer letters
  • Manipulation of seating arrangements, and allocation of dates and shifts to facilitate unfair means.
• Need for Act:
  • Public exams are currently vulnerable to cheating and disruptions, affecting millions of students.
  • There's no strong legal framework to deter individuals or groups involved in exam malpractice.
  • This bill aims to establish transparency, fairness, and trust in the public examination system.

What are the Issues Related to the Existing Examination System in India?

• Declining Credibility: Lack of credibility and consistency in exams by different boards and universities leads to frequent scandals such as paper leaks, cheating, and fake degrees, eroding public trust.
  • Employers often conduct separate assessments of candidates, disregarding university/board certificates.
• More Theoretical in Nature: The current education system focuses heavily on theoretical knowledge and memorisation of facts through textbooks.
  • This can lead to graduates who are well-versed in theory but lack the practical skills needed to succeed in their professions.
• Subjectivity: The examiner's biases can influence question phrasing, students answer based on their own understanding, and different graders may award varying marks for the same response.
  • This subjectivity creates an unfair and inconsistent evaluation process for students.
• Stifling Creativity and Critical Thinking: The pressure to perform well in standardized tests often discourages students from asking questions, exploring diverse perspectives, or developing critical thinking skills.
  • A curriculum focused on rote learning leaves little room for creativity and intellectual curiosity, hindering innovation and problem-solving abilities.
• Impact on Employability: Employers prioritise their evaluations over institutional certifications when assessing candidates, placing importance on higher-order learning for employability.
  • This has led to a growing market for coaching for competitive exams and skill development.

What Steps Can Be Taken to Address the Challenges in the Examination System?

• Focus on Understanding and Analytical Ability: Examinations should assess students' comprehension and analytical skills.
  • Question papers should include various forms of questions to evaluate different abilities in line with the instructional objectives of each course.
  • Memory-based questions should be minimised to encourage deeper learning.
• Subject and Skill-Specific Assessments: Incorporate subject-specific and skill-specific assessments for a comprehensive evaluation of students' learning achievements. Advocate for challenging assessments that distinguish students based on their academic attainments.
  • Proper importance should be given to practical components of the curriculum. Practical exams should be designed to assess students' hands-on skills and application of theoretical knowledge.
• Prevent Cheating: Strict measures such as installing CCTV cameras, appointing vigilant invigilators, and providing adequate guidance to students on avoiding unfair means should be implemented to curb cheating.
  • Examination centers that fail to prevent cheating should be penalised or cancelled.
• Examinations as a Means, Not an End: The primary purpose of examinations should be to facilitate learning and help students achieve educational objectives. Examinations should not be treated as the final goal but as a tool to promote continuous learning and improvement.
• Leverage Technology for Credibility: Utilise technology in assessments to enhance credibility, standardising question papers and evaluations. Explore market-available software solutions for both centralized and distributed assessment systems.

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