Article:
Union government in India is on the cusp of setting up performance assessment regulator, PAREKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), aimed at establishing a benchmark framework for assessing students at the secondary and higher secondary level. PAREKH will be an integral part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its implications will be significant.
Understanding PAREKH
PAREKH is a proposed regulatory body intended to serve as a constituent element of the NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training). Its primary goal is to conduct periodic outcome tests akin to the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and State Achievement Surveys. Comprising leading assessment experts, it aims to become the national single-window source for all assessment-related information.
PAREKH’s Major Objectives
One of the leading objectives of PAREKH includes establishing norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessments for all recognized school boards of India. It aims to bring uniformity across state and central boards, reducing disparities in evaluation.
By introducing a benchmark assessment framework, PAREKH intends to discourage rote learning and enable students to reflect the skill requirements of the 21st century.
Proposed Changes in Examination Pattern
Several proposals have been made to alter the examination pattern, including conducting board exams twice a year. This will provide an opportunity for students to improve their scores. A proposal has also been made to offer two types of papers on Mathematics – one standard test and another to test higher-level competency.
Significance of PAREKH
The regulator is expected to help reduce the fear of Mathematics among students and remove disparities in college admissions due to varying standards across different school boards. It will also develop and implement technical standards for designing, conducting, analyzing, and reporting tests at all levels of school education.
PAREKH: The Way Forward
PAREKH seeks to create a level playing field among various state boards by introducing uniformity in assessment standards. It aims to provide a more scientific approach to education by considering empirical research, stakeholder feedback, and best practices. The proposed structure is designed to cater to the cognitive, social, and physical development stages of children.
Teacher Eligibility Under RTE Act
As per the Right to Education (RTE) Act, for an individual to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in a state, they must possess the minimum qualifications laid down by the concerned State Council of Teacher Education. However, the academic authority notified by the Central Government under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE), Act 2009, has specified that for teaching primary classes, a candidate is required to pass a Teacher Eligibility Test conducted according to the National Council of Teacher Education guidelines.
Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round development of an individual and social transformation.
Therefore, the implementation of PAREKH and its role in the new education policy are key turning points in India’s journey towards transforming its education system.