Examination patterns that have been suggested are a waste
Online pattern is not helping our kids to learn in real sense
Syed Mustafa Ahmad
Examination in itself is not a parameter to judge any beings intelligence. It is because an examination has many ways to qualify. Intelligence aside, rote-learning can do miracles. Memorizing the facts can prove fruitful in passing an examination. In short, examination is not a criterion for any process of learning.
Till recently, there was some sense in conducting examinations. Students used to prepare somehow for the examination. There were in charge teachers who used to keep a watch over the whole process of examination. But now, after the outbreak of the Covid-19, educational system has become prone to many flaws.
Exam-dominated system has been searching alternatives to conduct exams. They have got success in conducting online examinations. All the preparations are done. Time tables are set. Teachers are ready. But the students are in mess. They think that they have the liberty of enjoying these moments for which they have been craving very dearly.
They take online exams without any results. Copying is the main issue. Loss of intelligence is the following issue. There are many issues that are associated with the newest kind of examination.
Firstly, students are very lenient regards examination. They take it as a fun. When the classroom examinations have not yielded anything, what purpose these virtual classrooms will serve. They know it is a formality to be fulfilled. They are aware that it is about money. Teachers are getting salaries. They are forced to conduct this drama. For us, it is better to enjoy something more beautiful rather than waste our precious time in this futile bargain.
Secondly, the constant snapping of internet has made this process of learning burdensome. Every now and then, internet is snapped. It is a privilege for us that in the age of 5G, we still have 2G internet options.
When 2G internet is snapped for four days in a week, it means that this way of teaching is of no worth. Conducting exams through this way is madness of the highest range. In the valley of Kashmir, two or three districts observe internet shutdown every day. If a student has prepared for an exam, snapping of internet forces him or her to lose interest in studies. This way, everything goes from bad to worse.
Thirdly, many students can’t afford smart phones for this very purpose. Labourers can’t afford to have the luxury of smart phones. They live from hand to mouth. They have no money to spend on teaching their children the real classroom education. It is a big proposition if they teach their children through this way. Surely, this way brings more harm than good.
Fourthly, the political disturbance has made the educational system irrelevant. When brilliant minds get wasted, there is no need to get this kind of education. When education can’t solve the evils of the society then it is no education at all. Education produces great statesmen that solve the most contentious issues of any country, state or nation. But when education does not produce statesmen, it is difficult to get education. And if great statesmen are produced, they are not allowed to speak the truth. In this situation, how can students participate in the examinations?
Lastly, where corruption reigns, education loses its value. Some students have certificates without sitting in any examination. Moreover, some have the professional degrees without having any experience behind these. In this situation, a sensitive child thinks that it is not good to participate in these examinations. In this way, examination loses its worth.
In the above lines, I have tried my best to throw some light over the innovative way of conducting examination virtually. It is very difficult in those areas where there is no prior training regarding this. Moreover, where human resources are wasted, these things matter very less. I hope real classrooms start functioning and we will somehow get some real education for our posterity.
