Govt gets final report on Plus-II exam reforms

Bhubaneswar: The three-member fact-finding committee, which was constituted to study the lapses in the evaluation process of the Plus-II exams last year, has recommended reforms in examination process, syllabus, evaluation and security of question papers.

Moreover, the committee has also recommended action against some errant officials who have been found guilty of improper conduct during the evaluation process.

The committee members today submitted its final report to Higher Education minister Pradip Panigrahi and the department’s secretary.

According to sources, the main thrust area of the committee’s report is implementation of the CBSE pattern in both examination management and syllabus.

In the report, the committee has also advised that both the exams in Plus-II (both first and second year) should be conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE). As per current practice, only the second year exam is being conducted by CHSE while the first year exam is conducted by the college.

“We have recommended a life skill development subject should be introduced in the Plus-II syllabus. As we feel students from our State are not doing well in all-India examinations, this new subject is going to develop their skills and create awareness. This examinable subject has been suggested after talking to an HRD expert. We have also requested the State government to introduce the subject from 2015-16,” committee chairman Amulya Panda told mediapersons.

He further said, “We noticed the first year syllabus of Plus-II has been neglected and teachers do not give much importance to that. So, we suggested first year exam should be done in OMR sheets whereas and second year exam in both OMR and subjective forms.”

The committee also recommended action against officials who were responsible for faulty evaluation of Plus-II papers last year. “Capacity building of teachers as well as students has also been given importance in the report,” added Panda.

Replying questions from mediapersons on the matter, minister Panigrahi said, “We have got the final report today and the department will take action after reviewing it.” The committee has talked about 21 cardinal points including revamping examination systems, redesigning course structure and capacity building, he added.