Bengal State Government abolish Pass Fail System in Examination Till Std Eight

There will be no pass-fail system in state government aided schools till std eight. Is it beneficial to our students? Change in system is good but if it education, special care should be taken otherwise the next generation will suffer.

Experiments on education are still going on. The latest addition to the list is abolishment of pass fail system till std. eight. In the last month, State government has taken the decision to bring back the merit list, marks system in Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examination. The reason shown is that students of better quality will be motivated if merit list of the board examinations are published and the marks system will help students to rectify themselves. The system is welcomed as clear cut evaluation is a must in examinations.

The same government is taking the decision to abolish pass-fail system in examination till std eight which means student’s performances will not be judged until he or she reaches std nine. West Bengal state government has declared this decision today. Government has further announced that examinations as usual will be held up to std eight. Examination without pass-fail system is simply useless. Before appearing the examination, students till std eight will know the result. There would be no charm of examination. This type of examination will be like a test match which is going to be a confirmed draw. In such match, players just pass the time on fields. The same will happen with the examinations up to std eight. Students up to std eight will not feel the excitement of examination and after two years they will appear in their first crucial hurdle in life, Madhyamik examination. 

Education for everybody is must but that does not mean that quality of education is to be sacrificed. Previous state government also did many research works with our education. English was abolished in junior level classes and again it was implemented. Other so many changes in education system were implemented but all the new steps were taken to facilitate students of below average quality. Average or below average students must get priority but the aim should be to uplift their quality, not lowering the education system quality. The present government is also taking the same path as the past government.  The abolish of pass-fail system in examination till std eight may reduce drop out and increase literacy percentage but will it be a real gain? Previous state government’s faulty education policy forced many students to take admission in private schools. It seems that the trend will continue even after change in government in the state after 34 years.