In a decisive move to elevate academic standards, Rajasthan's Education Secretary, Krishna Kunal, has issued a clear mandate to officials: ensure that at least half of all students in Classes 10 and 12 score above 75% marks in the upcoming board examinations. This ambitious directive was delivered during a crucial review meeting held in Jodhpur on Thursday.
Addressing Performance Gaps and Setting Targets
The high-stakes meeting was convened following a recent assessment that identified Jodhpur as one of the state's poorly performing districts. Tired of lackluster outcomes, Secretary Kunal instructed district officials to shift their focus from quantitative work to qualitative results, with the board exam performance being the primary starting point.
A senior official present at the meeting confirmed the directive, stating, "All district officials have been instructed to focus on qualitative results over quantitative work, starting with improving results for board exams." To achieve this, a multi-pronged strategy has been put into action.
A Concrete Plan for Academic Improvement
Beyond the headline-grabbing 75% target, the department has laid out a detailed plan. Secretary Kunal has directed that teachers must assign homework at least three times a week, check it regularly, and provide necessary corrections after evaluation. This is aimed at ensuring consistent student engagement and timely identification of learning gaps.
Adding to the challenge is the reduced number of teaching days in the current academic session. With the next session planned to start from April 1, there is a projected gap of 10-15 teaching days. To cover this deficit and complete the syllabus on time, officials have been instructed to put in extra effort, ensuring students get adequate preparation time.
Boosting Comprehension and Exploring Support Measures
A key focus area highlighted by Secretary Kunal is the improvement of students' foundational skills. He has instructed officials to prioritize the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) initiative, believing it is fundamental to enhancing comprehension abilities.
"Comprehension abilities can only be improved when a student reads; therefore, teachers must focus on a reading campaign. Until a student reads and understands it, answering questions will be difficult for them," the secretary emphasized during the meeting.
While the state education department has confirmed that the syllabus will not be reduced, it is exploring supportive provisions such as introducing more choices in the question paper or granting bonus marks for mid-term exams to help students achieve the new targets. This comprehensive approach, balancing stringent targets with supportive measures, outlines Rajasthan's renewed vigour in transforming its educational outcomes.
