Year Of Upheavals And Disparities

Karnataka's education system has undergone significant changes this year, with new policies aimed at addressing the rigidity in the system to make it more flexible and student-friendly. However, some of these reforms have sparked public debate, as the state grapples with their real education implications.

- DR NIRANJANARADHYA VP Development Educationist

From revamping examination formats to reverting undergraduate programme duration and revising school textbooks, the state's attempts at reform have led to questions about their effectiveness and consequences on the educational ecosystem.

The introduction of thrice-yearly board examinations for Class 10 and 2nd Pre-University (PU) students stands out as a bold move to enable students to continue their education without any hurdles or loss of an academic year. It also intends to reduce academic pressure. By allowing students to pick their best scores across three attempts, the policy aims to cater to varied learning paces and test-taking abilities, fostering preparedness, flexibility and inclusivity.

However, this seemingly progressive step risks overemphasising examination performance at the expense of holistic education and critical thinking. Frequent examinations could also strain resources and burden teachers, while inadvertently fostering complacency among students who might rely on multiple attempts instead of aiming for excellence initially. This may push students to a casual approach to education, saying, 'If not now, next time'. Striking a balance between alleviating stress and maintaining academic rigour and standard remains a critical challenge.