In a significant move, the Telangana State government has decided to scrap the grading system for SSC Public Examinations, starting from the academic year 2024-25. Students will now be evaluated based solely on their performance in external assessments, which will account for 100% of the total marks, with no consideration for internal assessments.
Key Highlights of the New Policy
- No More Internal Assessments
- Until now, the SSC exams followed a split system of 80 marks for external exams and 20 marks for internal assessments.
- With the new policy, internal assessment marks will no longer contribute to the final score.
- Grading System Abolished
- The existing grading system, which categorized students into grades based on their performance, will be replaced by a marks-based evaluation system.
- Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) Removed
- The government has also done away with the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system, which focused on the holistic development of students by assessing various aspects such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, and life skills.
Telangana Government Scraps Grading System for SSC Exams: Full Marks to Depend on External Assessment
In a significant move, the Telangana State government has decided to scrap the grading system for SSC Public Examinations, starting from the academic year 2024-25. Students will now be evaluated based solely on their performance in external assessments, which will account for 100% of the total marks, with no consideration for internal assessments.
Key Highlights of the New Policy
- No More Internal Assessments
- Until now, the SSC exams followed a split system of 80 marks for external exams and 20 marks for internal assessments.
- With the new policy, internal assessment marks will no longer contribute to the final score.
- Grading System Abolished
- The existing grading system, which categorized students into grades based on their performance, will be replaced by a marks-based evaluation system.
- Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) Removed
- The government has also done away with the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system, which focused on the holistic development of students by assessing various aspects such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, and life skills.
Government’s Statement
Principal Secretary to the Government (Education Department), Burra Venkatesham, issued a memo announcing the reform. The memo read:
“Permission is accorded to the director to follow the new pattern of SSC Public Exams by awarding marks system, duly dispensing the existing grading system and awarding 100 per cent marks to external assessments without any marks for internal assessments from the academic year 2024-25.”
Impact of the Decision
- Increased Focus on External Exams
- With the removal of internal assessments, students and schools are likely to focus entirely on external exams, increasing emphasis on preparation for standardized tests.
- Shift in Evaluation Practices
- The elimination of CCE and internal assessments could lead to a reduced focus on extracurricular activities and personality development.
- Potential Challenges
- Critics argue that the absence of internal assessments might overlook students’ consistent efforts and holistic abilities throughout the academic year.
- Teachers and schools will need to adapt to the new pattern quickly to ensure a smooth transition.
Authorities in Action
The memo directed School Education Director EV Narasimha Reddy to take necessary steps for implementing the new pattern effectively. This reform is expected to streamline the examination process but may also spark debates about the overall development of students in the absence of comprehensive evaluation.
