OPINION: Is it good to abolish pass-fail system up to 8th class?

The quality of education has become faulty even developed defects instead of improving or reforming, after the introduction of Right to Education (RTE) Act.  This is the reason that one member Parliament Committee has recommended to change the rule in which the students up to 8th class cannot be declared as failed.

Prior to this, the former Central Education Advisory Board (CEAB) and Education Ministers of States in its meetings have also recommended such suggestions and the ministry is very serious on this sensitive issue.  The Parliamentary Affairs Committee in its report to Human Resources Development Ministry has said that the natural tendency among the students in reading books, understanding mathematics and other subjects has comparatively been reduced.

For example, according to one report, in 2010, 46.3 per cent students of 5th class were not able to read the book given to them.  But this statistics increased to 51.8 per cent in 2011.  Similarly, in 2010, 29 per cent students of 5th class could not solve the multiplication sums of two.  But in 2011, this percentage was increased to 39 per cent. 

The committee has also admitted as one of the reason for this as shortage of able teachers and non-availability of infrastructure. The Committee is of the view that in case the students are aware of the fact that they have to pass the exam up to 8th class, they will be motivated for concentrating on study.

Some educationists are of the view that the existing system has its merits and demerits but the continuous evaluation is a better proposition where a child can improve with each evaluation which is assessed on monthly basis.

In fact, pass-fail system is followed often by all the states in India but her are some states which follow them till the schoolings but in the colleges.  But this system must be followed in all circumstances where a student faces his test or examination because if there is no such system, then neither the students will care about their studies or about the future.

But during discussions with the various teachers and prominent educationists, they were of the view that there is need to change the rule in which the students up to 8th class cannot be declared as failed.  It is very sensitive issue and before taking the final decision, the government must an open debate on the issue to keep the safe the future of the students besides providing the quality education to complete at the global level.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of City Air News.)