PARAKH

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The Union government is in the process to release a “benchmark framework” to evaluate students' performance at the secondary and higher secondary level.
The main objective of the upcoming framework would be to ensure “uniformity” across the state and central boards which presently follow different criteria for evaluation.
Recently, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) discussed the “common assessment framework” with the representatives of state boards and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs).
- They suggested setting up a new assessment regulator ‘PARAKH’.

About PARAKH

Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH) would act as a division of the NCERT.
The benchmark assessment framework will end the stress on rote learning.
It will establish norms, standards and guidelines for assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards of India.
It will encourage and help school boards to develop their assessments programme to meet the skill requirements of the 21st century.
It will carry periodic learning outcome tests like the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and State Achievement Surveys.
The government is expecting that the National Achievement Survey (NAS) in 2024 will be conducted by PARAKH.
It will guide the State Achievement Surveys and monitor the achievement of learning outcomes in the country.
PARAKH, the proposed implementing agency, is also part of the National Education Policy (NEP) proposal.

Highlights of New Education Policy-2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was released in July 2020.
NEP 2020 will replace the National Policy on Education, 1986.
It aims at ensuring Universal Access at All Levels of schooling from pre-primary school to Grade 12.
It Ensures quality early childhood care and education for all children between 3-6 years.
It introduced a New Curricular and Pedagogical Structure (5+3+3+4).
- 5 years of foundational stage (for ages 3 to 8).
- 3 years of preparatory stage (for ages 8 to 11 or classes 3 to 5).
- 3 years of middle stage (for ages 11 to 14 or classes 6 to 8).
- 4 years of secondary stage (for ages 14 to 18 or classes 9 to 12).
No strict separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extracurricular activities, and between vocational and academic streams.
To establish a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
Promoting multilingualism and Indian languages.
Reform in Assessment of Board Exams. Setting up a new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development).
Special priority is given to socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups.
A separate Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups;
A transparent process for recruitment of teachers and merit-based performance assessment.
Ensuring availability of all resources through school complexes and clusters.
Setting up of the State School Standards Authority.
Promoting Vocational education in school and higher education systems.
Increasing Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50%.
Multidisciplinary Education with multiple entry/exit options.
Establishment of Academic Bank of Credit
Setting up of Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities.
Setting up of the National Research Foundation.
Expansion of open and distance learning to increase GER.
Teacher Education - 4-year integrated stage-specific, subject-specific Bachelor of Education
All higher education institutions (HEIs) will be restructured into 3 categories:
- Research universities focus equally on research and teaching.
- Teaching universities focus primarily on teaching.
- Degree-granting colleges primarily focused on undergraduate teaching.
Multiple mechanisms with checks and balances will combat and stop the commercialization of higher education.
All education institutions will be held to similar standards of audit and disclosure as not-for-profit entities.
The Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in the Education sector to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest.
Strengthening of the Central Advisory Board of Education to ensure coordination to bring overall focus on quality education.

Objectives of NEP 2020

Reforms in curriculum content.
The medium of instruction should be in the child's local language/mother tongue. The current three-language formula will continue to be implemented.
Reform in the overall assessment process
Teacher training and management.
Ensure effective governance of schools.
Increasing Gross Enrolment Ratio to 50% by 2035 (It was 26.3% in 2018).
Restructuring of institutions.
Multidisciplinary education.
Improving research.
Promoting Digital education.