The General Education department in Kerala is preparing to launch its second State Achievement Survey in January of next year. This initiative, inspired by the National Achievement Survey (NAS), aims to thoroughly evaluate the academic skills of approximately 25,000 students. The survey will encompass students from government, aided, and private schools following the state syllabus, with the ultimate goal of identifying areas for improvement and implementing effective corrective measures.
While the national NAS typically assesses students in Classes III, VI, and IX (most recently held in December last year with results announced this summer), no national survey is planned for the current year. Consequently, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will independently proceed with this comprehensive statewide exercise. Discussions are underway to potentially adjust the specific grades included in the survey, though there are currently no plans to expand the total number of grades assessed beyond those covered by the NAS.
Students will be evaluated across key subjects including language, mathematics, science, and social science. The SCERT has already commenced the vital task of preparing both model and actual survey question papers. These model papers are designed to help students familiarize themselves with the assessment format, ensuring they are comfortable with the pattern before the actual survey.
Officials emphasize the critical importance of this survey for understanding student performance, particularly in subjects like mathematics and social sciences, which students often perceive as more challenging.
In-depth Analysis and Teacher Support
In a related effort to enhance educational quality, the SCERT, in collaboration with Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK), has initiated a random analysis of first-term answer scripts, a program set to conclude by October 15. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty recently announced that all teachers will receive comprehensive training on providing tailored academic support to students based on these findings.
Earlier, teachers’ organizations had voiced concerns regarding the first-term examination papers, claiming they were overly complex and left even younger students confused. However, officials clarify that the primary grievance from teachers was a lack of sufficient time to acquaint themselves with the new question paper format. They noted that an orientation was provided during the summer vacations, and model question papers were subsequently released to help teachers guide students through the competency-based questions.
These new questions are designed to be less direct, requiring students to read, comprehend, and apply their understanding before formulating an answer. Officials are optimistic that with more exposure to such assessments, students will adapt to the revised question paper style. The consolidated data from this survey will be instrumental in pinpointing which subjects students excel in and where they encounter significant difficulties, paving the way for targeted educational interventions.