New question structure for PEC tests

The structure and marks distribution of the questions for the Primary Examination Completion (PEC) test have been finalized for doing away with the existing multiple-choice question (MCQ) system. According to a report of this newspaper on Saturday, students will now sit for the PEC exam following the new structure of questions finalised by the National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE). This was decided at a workshop at the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) on April 10. In the changed system the examinees will have to write answer to all questions instead of ticking the right answers. The primary and mass education ministry took the decision as a measure against chances of question paper leak.

It is disturbing to note that leak of question papers before the commencement of examinations has become rampant in this country. This malpractice has been happening for the last few years and the children of people with political clouts, money and muscle power are gaining while the truly meritorious ones bereft of undue influence are bearing the brunt of it. Of late this menace has become pervasive and warrants an immediate remedy. Examination is the process to judge the merit of a student. But when malpractice and manipulation occur they take their toll on the innocent and meritorious students.

Students’ increasing dependence on private tutors and coaching centres at the prime of their life does not lead them to a bright future. It is like spoon-fed babies who mostly remain malnourished throughout their life. Had students received proper class teaching, they would not have been dependent on teaching outside the educational institutions. A devoted teacher can make things clear to students through a well-delivered lecture at the classroom. If a student can grasp things at classroom, he/she even need not study much at his/her home, let alone going to a coaching centre or a private tutor. It is a fact that classroom teaching in most of the educational institutions is far from satisfactory.

It is heartening that no incident of question paper leak in the ongoing HSC examination has been heard so far. Perhaps, the measures taken by the relevant authorities in controlling question paper leak is working. Experimentation with education system is not bad if it aims at the right direction. Academicians, experts and high officials of the education department should reflect on how abolition of MCQ system will help learners.    

 

New question structure for PEC tests

The structure and marks distribution of the questions for the Primary Examination Completion (PEC) test have been finalized for doing away with the existing multiple-choice question (MCQ) system. According to a report of this newspaper on Saturday, students will now sit for the PEC exam following the new structure of questions finalised by the National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE). This was decided at a workshop at the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) on April 10. In the changed system the examinees will have to write answer to all questions instead of ticking the right answers. The primary and mass education ministry took the decision as a measure against chances of question paper leak. It is disturbing to note that leak of question papers before the commencement of examinations has become rampant in this country. This malpractice has been happening for the last few years and the children of people with political clouts, money and muscle power are gaining while the truly meritorious ones bereft of undue influence are bearing the brunt of it. Of late this menace has become pervasive and warrants an immediate remedy. Examination is the process to judge the merit of a student. But when malpractice and manipulation occur they take their toll on the innocent and meritorious students. Students increasing dependence on private tutors and coaching centres at the prime of their life does not lead them to a bright future. It is like spoon-fed babies who mostly remain malnourished throughout their life. Had students received proper class teaching, they would not have been dependent on teaching outside the educational institutions. A devoted teacher can make things clear to students through a well-delivered lecture at the classroom. If a student can grasp things at classroom, he/she even need not study much at his/her home, let alone going to a coaching centre or a private tutor. It is a fact that classroom teaching in most of the educational institutions is far from satisfactory. It is heartening that no incident of question paper leak in the ongoing HSC examination has been heard so far. Perhaps, the measures taken by the relevant authorities in controlling question paper leak is working. Experimentation with education system is not bad if it aims at the right direction. Academicians, experts and high officials of the education department should reflect on how abolition of MCQ system will help learners.