Merger of practical with theory exams triggers resentment

Srinagar: J&K science teachers Association has sought immediate revocation of the government order that has directed merger of Practical examination of class 10th and 12th with the theory examinations, to be conducted by Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education.
In an emergency meeting convened Thursday, it noted that since the National curriculum framework (NCF) 2005 document lays more thrust on activity based teaching and learning processes and the text books too have now been designed for enriching science laboratories, ICT Labs and the herbal gardens, the association said the merger of practicals with the theory is a violation of the national framework curriculum and henceforth against the academic interests of the students.
Saying that the proposals have been put forth for supporting a science teacher with an assistant teacher in a classroom for activity based learning, the association said that the present system of theory evaluation never evaluates the understanding of the content holistically and questioned that how can the same methodology be used to evaluate the practical skills, objectivity, clearance of concept and experience of science students?
Claiming that no country/State has adopted evaluation practical theoretically, the association said how this can be done in the state like Jammu and Kashmir, which is already lagging behind other states.
Saying that instead of merger, more thrust should have been laid on the importance of lab work, which gives the students impetus for team work, the association has decided to forward its objections to Director School education Kashmir/Jammu and the Secretary to Government Education department. The association in its objections has called upon the government to immediately revoked so that students get attracted more towards the lab work for better conceptualization, enhanced learning, spirit of enquiry and spirit of team work.