Indian board introduces internal evaluation in social science

India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to introduce internal evaluation in social sciences, as part of its efforts to enhance vibrancy of its courses.

The change will take effect in grade nine in the academic year 2004-05. The Gulf has 60 CBSE-affiliated schools, of which 38 are in the UAE.

In a statement issued to all CBSE-affiliated schools, the measures have been introduced to "enrich activities and promote multiple intelligence, critical thinking and creative pursuits".

G. Balasubramaniam, academic director in New Delhi, said: "It is often claimed that the focus exclusively on external examination creates stress for achievement in the terminal examination. Hence this step has been taken in order to bring about a paradigm shift in examination methods."

Principals of CBSE-affiliated schools in the UAE said the system will ensure students are more disciplined in social sciences.

Dr Afsar Khan, principal of New Indian Model School in Sharjah, said the subject is considered the most difficult one by many students, due to its wide-ranging syllabus and the inclusion of various subjects such as history, geography and economics.

Dilbagh Singh, principal of Gulf Indian High School in Dubai, said: "I think this is good move by the CBSE, because we already have 25 per cent internal evaluation in the science subject for grade 10."

Ashok Kumar, principal of Indian High School in Dubai, said: "Educationists have been requesting this for a long time. It will bring out creative learning in the classroom."

Features of internal evaluation system
* It will be school based and be continuous and comprehensive.

* It will assess the various skills of students during the process of learning and done as per the guidelines given by the CBSE.

* The students' performance in the internal evaluation process will be reflected in the form of grades issued by the board after secondary examinations.