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India Today
16 hours ago
- India Today
CBSE's open-book exams could end the era of rote learning in schools
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is piloting open-book assessments (OBAs) for Class 9, with plans to roll them out from the 2026–27 academic year. The move marks a significant departure from rote memorisation, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023.'Life is an open-book. The world doesn't reward memorisers; it rewards problem solvers,' says Kanak Gupta, Group Director, Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools. Experts note that this shift places India firmly on the path to 21st-century education, where analysis, creativity, and application are at the core of learning to Naman Jain, Vice Chairman, Silverline Prestige School, the new system aims to reduce exam stress, promote questioning minds, and develop decision-making skills amongst TAKE Teachers involved in pilot projects welcomed the reform but admitted it brings challenges.'Teachers will have to move away from traditional lecturing and adopt constructivist, discussion-driven teaching,' says Dr. Alka Kapur, Principal, Modern Public SchoolShe points out that open-book exams require curiosity-driven learning and collaborative classrooms, where knowledge is constructed rather than there are hurdles too. Sanamdeep Chadha, Director, Genesis Global School, highlighted that many students leaned too heavily on their textbooks, wasting time flipping pages instead of applying Misra, Director Principal at DPS international, Gurgaon DPS Jaipur & Dharav High School, adds that while teachers recognise the need to test application and reasoning, designing such questions regularly has been difficult because most educators are not yet trained for there's optimism. As one pilot teacher summed up: assessment is no longer a burden, it's an opportunity to make learning deeper and more EXPERIENCEFor students, the first taste of OBAs was a mix of excitement and assumed 'open-book' meant 'open-easy' only to discover otherwise. 'The book was a lifeline, not a jackpot,' one student quipped during a mock testCOMMON STRUGGLES INCLUDEDTime management while flipping through textsDifficulty structuring and articulating answers, even when ideas are in finding answers directly from the book, instead of relying on conceptual some students thrived, using colour-coded tabs, summaries in margins, and quick navigation tricks to their advantage. Teachers also observed that weaker students felt less stressed and more confident when allowed to rely on NEXT IN SCHOOLSCBSE has indicated that the shift will be phased and carefully scaffolded. Plans include:Sample question papers to set benchmarksTeacher training in framing application-based questions and rubricsContinuous professional development and workshops to align pedagogy with OBA philosophySpecial focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where training gaps may be largerSchools like Jaipuria have already launched question bank incubators where teachers collaborate to design open-book-style ROTE LEARNINGadvertisementAll experts agree: rote learning is on its way out. Instead, OBAs will encourage:Analysis – breaking down complex issues and causesEvaluation – judging credibility, relevance, and authenticity of informationApplication – connecting concepts to real-world scenariosCreativity – generating new ideas and perspectives'This is about moving from 'What does the book say?' to 'What can the student do with this information?',' says a senior teacher from Delhi Public implemented effectively, open-book exams could transform Class 9 from a pre-board panic year into a foundation year for critical thinking, reshaping how young Indians learn, and ultimately, how they thrive in a world that values problem-solvers over parrots.- Ends


Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Experts Call for Creation of "Divyangjan Open School Education & Skill Board" to Empower Persons with Disabilities
VMPL New Delhi [India], August 18: Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), forming the world's largest minority group, remain among the most deprived sections of society--lacking equitable access to education, healthcare, and social security. Despite multiple government initiatives, inclusion in mainstream education continues to be a major challenge. According to estimates, 8-10% of India's 142 crore population is associated with disability conditions. While the 2011 Census recognized 2.68 crore PwDs across 7 disabilities, the 2016 RPWD Act expanded the number of recognized disabilities to 21, raising the present estimate to 8-10 crore persons. Yet, more than a decade after the Right to Education Act (RTE) and the RPWD Act 2016, the majority of Divyangjan remain outside the formal education system. The Education Gap * Out of an estimated 10 crore PwDs, only about 22 lakh students have been able to join inclusive CBSE schools. * High dropout rates persist before Class 10 and Class 12, eliminating access to higher education, scholarships, and employment schemes that require minimum school qualifications. * Despite the National Education Policy's emphasis on inclusive education, most schools lack trained special educators, assistive resources (Braille, sign language, sensory kits, IEPs) and barrier-free infrastructure. * India has 20 lakh schools, yet the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has trained only 1.5 lakh special educators to date--making quality inclusive education practically inaccessible. This has resulted in a cycle where employment, loans, and skill development schemes remain on paper for Divyangjan due to lack of basic educational qualifications. Structural Gaps in Inclusive Education * The Ministry of Education relies heavily on RCI-trained special educators but there is an acute shortage. * Inclusive schools often have only one special educator catering to multiple disability types, forcing group teaching instead of the mandated Individualized Education Program (IEP). * Exams, curriculum, and pedagogy remain non-personalized, making it nearly impossible for visually impaired, hearing impaired, and intellectually disabled students to thrive together in a single classroom. The Way Forward - A Dedicated Board for Divyangjan Experts emphasize that India's vision of becoming a developed nation cannot be achieved without empowering its 8-10 crore PwD population. To address this urgent issue, there is a strong call for the establishment of a "Divyangjan Open School Education and Skill Board" at the central level. This proposed board would: * Function like other specialized boards (Urdu, Sanskrit, Vedic, Madrasa, Gurukul Boards). * Provide home-based, open school, and customized education pathways for PwDs. * Offer specialized curricula, teaching methods, resources, and skill training suited to the 21 recognized disabilities. * Enable Divyangjan to pursue quality education, vocational training, and employment opportunities on a where-is basis. Quote "The vision of a developed India is incomplete without the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Establishing a Divyangjan Open School Education and Skill Board is not just an educational reform, it is a national necessity," said Mukesh G Gupta, Vision Divyang Foundation. About Vision Divyang Foundation Vision Divyang Foundation is committed to advocating for policies, systems, and resources that enable the holistic development and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Through research, awareness, and action, the foundation works to integrate Divyangjan into India's mainstream progress.


Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
CBSE CTET 2025 Notification expected soon at ctet.nic.in: Check who is eligible and steps to register online
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to release the notification for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2025 soon on its official website, Considered one of the most important qualifying exams for aspiring teachers in India, CTET serves as a gateway for teaching positions in central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other schools under the Union Territories, as well as many private institutions. The exam, held twice a year, assesses candidates' teaching aptitude for classes I–VIII. While exact dates for the 2025 cycle are yet to be confirmed, reports suggest that the exam could be conducted in July or December. Here's a look at the expected eligibility, exam details, and registration steps. Who is eligible for CTET 2025? For Classes I–V (Paper I): Candidates must have completed or be in the final year of a two-year Diploma in Elementary Education ( or equivalent, along with meeting the prescribed minimum marks in Class 12. For Classes VI–VIII (Paper II): A bachelor's degree with a two-year or a four-year integrated B.A./ or is required. Eligibility criteria are guided by NCTE regulations and specific recruitment rules of institutions like KVS or NVS. There is no upper age limit for appearing in CTET. Steps to register online for CTET 2025 Here is how interested and eligible candidates will be able to register online for the CTET December 2025 exam: Visit the official website: Click on the 'Apply for CTET 2025' link and complete the registration with personal and academic details. Choose exam centre, paper (I or II, or both), and preferred language. Upload recent passport-size photographs and signature as per format. Pay the application fee online (General/OBC: ₹1,000 for one paper, ₹1,200 for both; SC/ST/PwD: ₹500 for one paper, ₹600 for both). Submit the form and download the confirmation page for records. CTET exam pattern 2025 The CTET exam is divided into two papers. Paper I is designed for candidates aiming to teach Classes I to V, while Paper II is meant for those aspiring to teach Classes VI to VIII. Each paper consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and does not have any negative marking. The subjects covered in the exam include Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and Language II, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies for Paper I, while Paper II includes Child Development and Pedagogy, Language I and Language II, Mathematics, and Social Studies or Science. Once cleared, the CTET certificate has lifetime validity and can be used to apply for multiple teaching recruitments across various central and private schools. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!