In the ongoing debate surrounding standardized testing in education, a former Secretary of Education is advocating for a significant revamp of the current system. The ex-official contends that the traditional competitive tests utilized in schools are outdated and ineffective, emphasizing the urgency for a fresh approach to accurately evaluate student learning and development. Given the increasing stakes for both students and educators, the need for reform is more pressing than ever.
Exam Irregularities and Protests:
The recent controversy surrounding the Nationwide Testing Agency (NTA) responsible for administering the UGC-NET exam has brought to light alleged irregularities in the NEET exam, the singular entrance test for MBBS programs in India. Student wings of political parties have staged protests outside the Education Ministry in Delhi, demanding accountability and swift action to prevent future occurrences of such issues.
Scrapping of UGC-NET Exam:
In a rare move, the Education Ministry has canceled the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) due to concerns over the exam’s integrity. Over 900,000 candidates from across India participated in this crucial exam, which determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship, PhD programs, and Assistant Professor positions. This decision marks the first instance of a centrally administered public exam being scrapped following the implementation of new anti-paper leak regulations, sparking significant political and academic debates and prompting calls for systemic reforms to prevent future breaches.
Call for Systemic Reforms:
R Subrahmanyam, the former Secretary of Higher Education, emphasized the necessity for systemic reforms in competitive examinations. He criticized the reliance on traditional pen-and-paper methods and advocated for a transition to a secure online system to prevent fraud. Subrahmanyam highlighted the importance of staying ahead of potential miscreants by adopting a tamper-proof online system, citing the need for continuous improvement in the examination process.
Online Examination Advantages:
Subrahmanyam noted that the Union Cabinet had approved the NTA to conduct exclusively online examinations due to the high risks associated with pen-and-paper tests. However, he criticized the Ministry of Health for resisting the transition of NEET to an online format, thereby perpetuating the vulnerability to leaks in this critical examination. The shift from online to pen-and-paper format for the UGC-NET exam this year increased the risk of breaches, ultimately leading to its cancellation.
Political Fallout and Investigation:
The cancellation of the UGC-NET exam has sparked a political uproar, prompting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. Student wings of various political parties have staged demonstrations outside the Education Ministry in Delhi, demanding accountability and swift action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
