The sudden changes in the annual exam and Progress Assessment Test (PAT) schedule by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Directorate of Education have sparked outrage among teachers and parents.
According to SCERT’s new directives, all schools affiliated with the state board must conduct annual exams between April 8 and April 25, with teachers required to declare results by May 1.
Teachers are particularly upset that PAT and annual exams are scheduled simultaneously, forcing students to take the same subject exam twice. Previously, schools had the flexibility to conduct exams in March or April as per their convenience, but the revised schedule reduces students’ study time.
Pressure to Prepare Results Quickly
As per SCERT’s guidelines, teachers must finalize results within just five days, adding unnecessary workload and pressure. While the authorities claim this will help utilize the academic year more effectively, teachers and parents find it impractical and are demanding a rollback of the decision.
Concerns over overlapping exams
Previously, PAT exams were conducted separately, but now students of classes 5 and 8 will have to appear for the same subject exam twice in a short span. Teachers argue that SCERT is attempting to impose a uniform model on all schools, ignoring their unique requirements.
Pratima Singh, a govt teacher, expressed concerns over the late exam schedule, questioning how results would be prepared in time. She pointed out that many parents leave for their villages after April 20, making it difficult for students to attend exams. She also criticized the lack of prior notice, stating that if the government had informed schools earlier, teachers could have prepared parents in advance.
Additionally, she highlighted the increased workload for teachers, who now have to conduct and evaluate the same subject exam twice. For instance, an English teacher handling classes 5 to 8 will have to check 5 school papers and 5 PAT papers for the year.
Parents also argue that this sudden change disrupts their pre-planned vacations and coaching classes. Additionally, summer camps and other post-exam activities in schools will be affected.
