Summative evaluation for Grades 5–8 from March 5; Grades 3–4 from April 6 as over 1.2 lakh students prepare
PANAJI
The second competency-based centralised common summative evaluation cum examination for students of Grade 5 to 8 will commence from March 5 while for Grades 3 and 4 it will be from April 6.
The Goa State Council for Education, Research and Training (SCERT) has announced that it will conduct additional examinations for students who are unable to appear for the common examination due to genuine reasons like participation in sports events or medical illness.
As per the circular issued by SCERT, the summative evaluation-2, for Grades 3 and 4 will commence from April 6 and for Grades 5 to 8 from March 5. Over 1.20 lakh students are expected to appear for the examination – the question papers for which will be set by the SCERT.
“The distribution of the question papers will tentatively commence from February 23 onwards. Only the question papers will be provided by the SCERT while schools are responsible for providing the necessary answer papers to the students of Grades 5 to 8. Students of Grades 3 and 4 will be provided with Question-cum Answer papers by the council,” the circular stated.
From this academic year, the SCERT introduced the common summative examination aiming to bring uniformity and standardisation in student assessment across schools in the State.
As reported earlier, SCERT has said that compared to the first summative examination, held in October, last year, this time, the question papers will be comparatively easier while continuing with application-based questions as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
“SCERT will conduct additional examinations for students who are unable to appear for the Common Examination due to genuine reasons such as participation in sports events or medical illness. However, only authentic and verified cases will be considered for the additional exam. Separate question papers/schedule will be provided,” the council said.
Schools are asked to take note that Flying Squads will conduct surprise visits to monitor the conduct of examinations.
The first-ever centralised common examination, held in October last year, had triggered strong opposition from parents, who alleged that the question papers were excessively difficult for young children, particularly those aged seven and eight. Parents had also raised concerns over 3D aptitude and reasoning questions, claiming that the final paper did not match the model question papers shared with schools and families.
The examination is compulsory for all schools across Goa, and SCERT has warned that any lapses in compliance will be viewed seriously.
