Maharashtra Plans To Introduce Negative Marking System For State Board Schools

HYDERABAD: In an attempt to revive the academic assessment of students, the Maharashtra State Curriculum Framework (SCF) has recommended negative marking system in state board schools.

The recommended assessment methods will give teachers the flexibility to choose the way the students are assessed, reports quoted Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) authorities as saying.

However, the specifics of the negative marking system will be outlined in the Government Resolution (GR), which will be issued after the modalities are finalised, said the government.

The SCF suggests many other initiatives such as open-book examinations, practical assessments and self-assessment models, signalling a paradigm shift in the educational system with a focus on dynamic learning approaches.

No rote learning

The SCF has also proposed several modern assessment methods. However, the negative marking system has triggered a debate. The advocates of the new initiative argue that it will prompt students to go beyond rote learning, ensuring precision and accuracy in their responses.

In addition to traditional written and oral tests, objective, descriptive and puzzle-based questions, recitation, debates, and discussions, practical exams will also be prioritised.

The schools will be encouraged to conduct regular experiments, art projects, practical presentations, activities and portfolios, the SCF has proposed.

The other vital recommendations are allowing students to refer notes, books and study material during tests, self-assessment, intelligence tests, multiple-choice questions, and competitive exam-style tests.

Schools will be advised to change the sequence of multiple-choice questions for different students, enhancing fairness.

“Through the SCF, our goal is to raise the standard of education. These recommendations, approved in principle by the government, particularly the negative marking system and competitive exam-style assessments, aim to better prepare students for competitive exams early on. We have introduced a broad spectrum of evaluation methods for schools and teachers. We are finalising the modalities,” reports quoted SCERT Chairman Rahul Rekhawar as saying.

“Methods like negative marking system and open-book exams are part of this revamped approach, designed to foster a deeper understanding of subjects, critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills among students,” he said.

 

Key takeaways from Maharashtra SCF recommendation

• Objective, descriptive, puzzles-based written exams
• Reading aloud, listening and responding, recitation, debates, and discussions
• Experiments, art projects, practical presentations, activities and portfolios as part of practical exams
• Using notes, books, and reference material in open book exams
• Self-assessment
• Intelligence tests
• Negative marking system
• Inclusion of multiple-choice questions
• Competitive exam-like tests
• Changing the sequence of multiple-choice questions for different students

To view the full document of Maharashtra SCF recommendations, click here.