Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Are exams a necessary evil? Or are they a “torture?” If you are surprised at these questions, and feel that there is no need to debate about this issue, think again. When we did a random survey on our schools which had recently conducted exams, talking to both teachers and students, we were pleasantly surprised at the responses. Students became instant poets to prove their point

First, the facts. The overall performance of Deepalaya School, Gusbethi, was good this year in terms of pass percentage. At Deepalaya School, Gole Kuan, the total number of students getting distinction improved this year as compared to last year. In Class IV, those getting distinction rose to 5 as against 3 last year. Similarly, in Class VI, it improved to 12 as against 10 last year. Generally girls have been doing better compared to the boys. The only exception was class V, where boys did better by scoring an average of 67% in the final examinations while girls’ average stood at only 48%. Deepalaya School, Kalkaji Extension (DSKE) showed results similar to last year, namely the pass percentage was above 95%. Everyone from classes IX and X was promoted, probably indicating that by the time students reach this level, all are mature and take exams seriously.

The total number of students getting distinction in Classes UKG, III and VII at the Deepalaya School, Sanjay Colony (DSSC) remained almost the same as last year (44 this year as against 48 last year). In keeping with the trend seen elsewhere, girls did better than boys. At the Ramditti J.R.Narang Deepalaya School (RJRND), the pass percentages were similar to last year which was above 95%.

The Open Basic Education which is conducted for Classes III, V and VIII by National Institute of Open Schooling produced very good results for all the Deepalaya Schools. RJRND School got a full score of 100% for all the three classes. The rest of the schools came up with respectable pass results with pass percentages above 75%.
Teachers had definite things to say about the exams. For instance, Mr. Aas Mohammad, Head Teacher at Deepalaya School, Gusbethi was of the opinion that additional revision tests and extra classes that were conducted in the academic year 2007-08 were the reason why the performance of the students was even better this time. Model papers were attempted before the exams this time. Further the teaching was made a little more exam-oriented. Another teacher, Ms. Seema Tiwari of Deepalaya School, Gole Kuan, rated the girls better in terms of sincerity and hard work. She however felt that there would be further improvement if the parents spent more time with the children at home, helping them with their studies. Students should ideally revise and finish every day’s lessons the same day. Highlighting a little known fact, Ms. Sanju, a teacher at DSKE appreciated the new text books which were of higher quality compared to the earlier ones. Ms. Lata, teaching at RJRND School, felt that weekly tests played an important role in helping improve the performance of students. One teacher at Deepalaya School, Sanjay Colony (DSSC), Ms. Darshana Prabhakar, wanted more objective type questions in the exams.

The students had interesting things to say about the exams. Most of them admitted that they were scared of facing exams. However, Vandana of Class VIII at RJRND School reluctantly conceded that exams were necessary as they could be used to decide who was good in studies and who was not. Sixteen year old Deepak Rathor of Class X at Sanjay Colony School took the cake when he termed exams as “a test of our brain capacity”! Gaurav Subhash of Class X at DSKE felt that if the Board Exams were held in his own school premises, it would help. There were other opinions too. Miss. Smita of Class IX at DSKE wanted a change from a three-term to a two-term or semester type exam system which she felt was better. Some others like Sumit of Class X, DSKE, wanted a part of the total marks to be allotted for internal assessment. However, Rintu Sarkar and Niranjan Kumar of Class X at DSSC were of the opinion that exams led to healthy competition, without which people do not put in their best. Real friendship blossomed then as they exchanged notes prior to exams. One student, Anuj of Class VII at RJRND School, welcomed the exams saying his mother who was all the time complaining that he did not devote sufficient time for studies, was convinced of his hard work once she saw the marks he scored. Poonam of Class X, DSSC bemoaned the fact that she gets no support from the family for studies as her parents are illiterate.

Tannu Gurung of IX at DSSC unhesitatingly spoke his mind, maintaining that he was “sick of exams” and defined exams as it a “torture of innocent children” and wanted to know who invented exams! Pawan of Class VII-A, Deepalaya School, Sanjay Colony, turned lyrical and had this to say:

Writing for examination,
Needs lots of preparation.
Read, read, read day and night.
Parents also give us a fright.
Maths is a subject I like most.
On getting full marks, then I boast.
During the time of result declaration,
It is the time of tension.
I pray to God for good result
And save me from insult.