On Examinations: Second Wave and Hope for a Better Future

Nov 5, 2024

4 min read

12 May, 2021

Image Credit: Jaikishan Patel at Unsplash

It is a very tough time right now; humanity and human lives are our utmost priority. Every other thing – deadlines, updates, submissions or even examinations, can wait. Once this is over, and with all my might I hope that day comes really soon, we will take care of all the things that came to a halt. When we were growing up, we were always told that board examinations are one of the most important tests of our life. Till date, I have not been able to find much logic to support this notion apart from factors like peer pressure, cultural norms, societal expectations, standardized parameters of measuring success and demonstration effect. None of these seem compelling enough to me. And as I am growing up and gaining experience, my belief is becoming stronger.

I wrote an article “Can we bring chits to the Exam Hall?” few weeks back that captured my critique of the evaluation system. Recent dilemma whether board examinations in different states should be cancelled or postponed has sparked a debate again. There are some very basic issues being discussed. First, what should be the mode of exams during a pandemic – offline or online? Second, if the classes have been held online, will it be fair to conduct offline exams? Third, in case the examinations are cancelled, how will the students apply for next levels? Fourth, if past performance during the year is considered the basis of evaluation, what about the students who were fighting corona virus or taking care of elderly patients during that time? Fifth, there is no denying the fact that the pandemic has severely affected the mental health of people. According to one report, lockdown related anxiety caused over 300 suicides from March 9 to May 2. The second wave has been far more lethal that can increase stress and anxiety levels manifold. Given the hesitation and embarrassment associated with mental health issues in our society and lack of reasonably accessible professional help and infrastructure (according to the National Mental Health Survey 15-16, there are only 0.05 psychiatrists for every 100,000 in central India), our students are definitely at high risk. In such circumstances, wouldn’t their apprehensions about a fair and safe evaluation system make them more vulnerable? Such questions make cancellation or postponement a very valid choice.

But on a different note, I feel these questions open doors to discuss far more critical issues that we must address as educators; with or without the pandemic. Like introspection strategies for other sectors have come up, this could also be an opportunity to reform our evaluation system.

Today, we talk about technology advancement and AI applications in every sphere of life. In such a scenario, can we plan to leverage technology to evaluate our students effectively even from a distance? This could break barriers and improve access. Definitely, we will need infrastructure solutions for this to work. On one hand, we want our students to be creative, but on the other they are expected to gulp down chunks of information just to let it out on the day of examination. In many cases, we still use standardized tests. We still use comparisons and fit the class result into a forced bell curve. As teachers, majority of us are conditioned to expect students to know what we know. Primarily, our evaluation is based on competition rather than collaboration and a system that rarely rewards individuality. I am not pessimistic; there are reforms happening throughout the country but in my understanding, the institutions we have are so varied and too many in number that it will take a lifetime to reach all of them if we don’t start now! If after the second wave, we can work on these issues – that will definitely be celebration of education. Then it may not matter whether examinations are being conducted online or offline or whether they are being postponed or cancelled!

Yesterday, I came across a beautiful poem by a famous poet from Punjab- Shri Surjit Patar. It is a simple creation but with a very deep meaning. It brought a huge smile on my face amid dismal times. I am sharing the joy with all of you by presenting to you “Bhaare Bhaare Baste” by Patar Sahab. The below version is in Gurmukhi script followed by an English translation by yours truly. I am sorry for mistakes or poor translation, I am an amateur. Looking forward to better times, cheers!

ਭਾਰੇ ਭਾਰੇ ਬਸਤੇ

ਲੰਮੇ ਲੰਮੇ ਰਸਤੇ

ਥੱਕ ਗਏ ਨੇ ਗੋਡੇ

ਦੁਖਣ ਲੱਗ ਪਏ ਮੋਢੇ

ਐਨਾ ਭਾਰ ਚੁਕਾਇਆ ਏ

ਅਸੀਂ ਕੋਈ ਖੋਤੇ ਆਂ ?

ਟੀਚਰ ਜੀ ਆਉਣਗੇ

ਆ ਕੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਸੁਣਾਉਣਗੇ

ਚਲੋ ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ ਖੋਲ੍ਹੋ

ਪਿੱਛੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਬੋਲੋ ।

ਪਿੱਛੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਬੋਲੀਏ

ਅਸੀਂ ਕੋਈ ਤੋਤੇ ਆਂ ?