Bengal Edu board introduces semester system for primary classes

The West Bengal Primary Education Board announced significant changes to the primary education system for the upcoming academic year. Addressing reporters on Friday, Gautam Pal, Chairman of the Primary Education Board, revealed the introduction of the semester system and a credit point framework in primary schools.

Starting from grades 1 to 5, the academic year will now be divided into two semesters: January to June and July to December. To alleviate pressure on younger students, the evaluation process for grades 1 to 3 will no longer involve pen-and-paper exams. Instead, students will be assessed on their classroom activities and participation throughout the year. However, written examinations will still be held for students in grades 4 and 5.

The reforms align with the Right to Education Act of 2009, which enforces a 'no detention' policy up to grade 8. While pre-primary classes are exempt from the credit framework, new credit hours and scores will be introduced for grades 1 to 5. Students in grades 1 and 2 will be required to complete 800 academic hours annually, with a maximum credit score of 13.5. Similarly, students in grades 3 to 5 will need to complete 1000 hours, with a maximum credit score of 16.5.

Under the new system, schools will no longer prepare question papers. The Primary Education Board will standardize question papers for all primary schools across the state. Teachers will still retain the responsibility of evaluating the records.

Gautam Pal emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance students' learning experience by reducing stress and encouraging active participation in the classroom. Additionally, the semester system allows for a more balanced academic calendar while ensuring a thorough assessment of students' progress.