Educational institutions in Jalandhar are undergoing a significant pedagogical shift. In response to the evolving examination patterns introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), schools are actively moving students away from traditional rote memorization. The new focus is firmly on building conceptual understanding and honing reasoning abilities.
Embracing the New Educational Mandate
The catalyst for this change is the revised CBSE exam format for classes 11 and 12, which now emphasizes competency-based questions. These questions, which constituted 40% of the paper in the 2023-24 session, are designed to assess a student's ability to apply knowledge rather than simply recall facts. This proportion is set to increase to 50% in the current 2024-25 academic year, making the adaptation imperative for schools.
Principals and educators across the city report a fundamental change in their classroom strategies. The old model of dictating notes and encouraging verbatim reproduction is being replaced. Instead, teachers are fostering environments where students learn to analyze, deduce, and connect ideas. Deepak Kumar, principal of a local school, emphasized that the goal is to develop a student's thought process, ensuring they can tackle unfamiliar problems using core principles.
Practical Strategies in the Classroom
To achieve this, schools are implementing a variety of hands-on techniques. A key method is the increased use of case studies and real-life applications during lessons. For instance, in commerce subjects, students might analyze actual company financials instead of just memorizing textbook entries. In science, theoretical concepts are demonstrated through experiments and practical observations.
Another critical focus is on enhancing reading and comprehension skills. Teachers are guiding students to dissect questions carefully, identify key terms, and structure logical answers. Regular practice with sample papers featuring competency-based questions has become a staple. Furthermore, group discussions and project-based learning are being encouraged to stimulate critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving among students.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
This transition is not without its hurdles. Educators note that shifting a long-entrenched culture of rote learning requires consistent effort from both teachers and students. Some learners initially struggle with the open-ended nature of the new questions. However, schools are committed to the path. They are conducting special workshops for teachers to redesign lesson plans and question banks aligned with the new format.
The consensus among Jalandhar's educational leaders is clear: this change is for the better. It prepares students not just for board exams, but for competitive entrance tests and future academic pursuits where analytical skills are paramount. The move from rote to reasoning is seen as a necessary step to build a generation of innovators and critical thinkers, fully equipped for the demands of the 21st century.
