New Delhi: The Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, chaired a crucial review meeting on PARAKH, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss and enhance the assessment system. The meeting included Additional Secretaries, Shri Vipin Kumar and Shri Anandrao V. Patil, along with the Head of PARAKH at NCERT, Prof. Indrani Bhaduri, and other Bureau heads. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) team, led by Shri Amit Sevak, CEO, ETS, Princeton, US, also participated in the discussion.
Addressing the meeting, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, emphasized the pivotal role of assessment as the foundation of the entire educational process. He stressed that a well-executed assessment system could transform people’s perceptions about education and position India as a benchmark for global educational standards. Shri Kumar underscored the need to raise awareness among teachers about the significance of the National Achievement Survey (NAS) to ensure meticulous examination processes.
The meeting delved into a detailed discussion on the ‘Academic Bank of Credit,’ aiming to fortify the ‘Competency-Based Framework’ through the utilization of ‘Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs).’ These HPCs are envisioned not only as tools for teacher training but also as instruments to make teachers cognizant of grade-specific competencies and their associated assessments.
The National Assessment Center, Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH) was established in March 2023 as an independent body under the Ministry of Education. The initiative aligns with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy, 2020, with a focus on comprehensive assessment methods and fostering holistic development.
The collaborative effort involving key stakeholders and international expertise from the Educational Testing Service signals a commitment to elevating the quality of education in India. The advancements in the PARAKH assessment system aim to set new standards in educational evaluation and contribute to shaping a robust educational framework for the nation’s future.
