NCF draft proposes 5.5-day school, changes in assessment methods, written tests from class 3

New Delhi: The draft National Curriculum Framework (NCF) has proposed significant changes to the school schedule and assessment methods for students. The NCF recommends that students attend school for five and a half days per week, with Saturdays being a half-day of study.

The total instructional time per week would be 29 hours, with class periods lasting either 40 or 50 minutes, depending on the level of education.

In contrast to the previous NCF from 2005, which allowed schools to schedule their academic year as they saw fit, the new draft NCF provides a specific framework for the school day and academic year. The proposed academic year would consist of 180 school days or 34 weeks across all levels of education.

The NCF also emphasizes the need for appropriate assessment methods for students. The draft recommends that explicit tests and exams are not appropriate for children up to class 2, and that written tests should be introduced from class 3 onwards.

The assessment methods should not add to the child's burden and should be diverse to accommodate different learning styles. The teacher should be able to design different kinds of assessments for the same learning outcome and use each assessment appropriately.

At the preparatory stage (classes 3 to 5), a variety of assessment methods should be used to promote learning, including portfolios, peers and self-assessment. At the end of the preparatory stage, there should be a comprehensive summative assessment of the student's readiness to enter the middle stage.

The education ministry has released a pre-draft of the NCF for school education and is inviting suggestions from stakeholders. The proposed changes to the school schedule and assessment methods aim to provide a more holistic and effective education system for students in India.