Latest news with #Class9
Khaleej Times
12 hours ago
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Open book exams in some CBSE schools soon; teachers to be trained
As students in the UAE prepare for Open-Book Assessments (OBAs), some CBSE-affiliated schools are ramping up efforts to equip teachers with the skills they need to navigate these new types of tests. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the introduction of OBAs for Class 9 starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The move follows a pilot study that showed strong teacher support for the approach. Although schools will be encouraged to follow the framework, its adoption will be voluntary. Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi, Principal Abhilasha Singh drew upon her own experiences. 'I remember being in Grade 9 when the Government of India first piloted this for the Uttar Pradesh (state) Board. We were excited to have the textbook as an ally, but it wasn't easy to find answers if you hadn't thoroughly read the book.' Headteachers emphasized that the decision is in alignment with the National Curriculum Framework 2023, which underscores the need to transition from rote memorization to competency-based learning. Muhammad Ali Kottakkulam, Principal of Cosmopolitan International School in Ajman, said, 'The proposal, based on a pilot study, is to incorporate OBA into three pen-paper tests conducted each term in languages, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. The pilot study indicated that students are facing challenges in effectively utilising resources, grasping interdisciplinary concepts, and applying critical thinking and problem solving skills." The focus, he said, will be "on equipping teachers with the skills to design application-based questions, how to effectively implement them into the classroom settings, and how to monitor student progress and evaluate their performance in an OBA format.' CBSE has previously explored open-book assessments; in 2014, it launched the Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) for Class 9, covering subjects like Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Principals noted that the program was later extended to Class 11 for subjects including Economics, Biology, and Geography, but it was discontinued in the 2017–18 academic year due to its limited effectiveness in fostering critical thinking skills. 'I strongly recommend that questions be application-oriented, demanding analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving,' said Shiny Davison, Principal of Woodlem Park School in Hamidiya, Ajman. 'CBSE will provide guidelines, sample papers, and question-design frameworks, with an optional rollout allowing schools time to adapt. As a school leader, my priority is building teacher capacity through training, workshops, and master-trainer support to create and assess higher-order questions. If implemented with thoughtful design and phased adoption, OBAs can deepen understanding, ease exam stress, and prepare students for real-world challenges.'
Korea Herald
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Controversy-ridden former presidential worker was Kim Keon Hee's photographer: report
YouTuber who filmed videos from inside the presidential office had taken staged photos for former first lady The woman who posted controversial YouTube videos about her daily life as a worker in the presidential office turned out to be an official who took photos for former first lady Kim Keon Hee, a local media outlet reported. According to the CBS Nocut News, the person was a former Class 9 civil servant surnamed Shin, who had joined ex-President's Yoon Suk Yeol's staff during his presidential campaign in 2022. Shin had purportedly just graduated from college and was entrusted with administrative duties at the presidential office, in particular taking photos of Yoon's wife. It was reported that Shin was responsible for the several staged photos of Kim that were subject of controversy. This included a photo of Yoon's wife holding a sick Cambodian boy in her arms, a photo of her appearing to give instructions to police officials that sparked criticism of her overstepping her role, and photos at the opening of the Suncheonman International Garden Expo 2023 that was focused on Kim and not the event itself. The CBS report said several former officials of the presidential office had made internal complaints over the photos, which were supposedly overruled by Kim. The report also said that Shin had received several warnings for tardiness and had frequently argued with her superiors, but was able to squash out the complaints against herself on the former first lady's authority. The videos recently posted by the former presidential office employee also sparked disputes here, for her filming the outer areas of the secure facility and showing it to the public. During the impeachment trials of now-expelled Yoon, the presidential office in January filed for criminal charges against local broadcasters for filming the official presidential residence from the outside. It claimed that such act was in violation of the Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act, specifically the Article 9 that bans filming in the area designated as a "Protection Zone." The same logic would prevent filming the outside areas of the presidential office. Neither the presidential office or the former employee has issued a comment on the controversy, although she made the disputed videos inaccessible to the public.
