With the government’s decision to replace the examinations for class PP to III from this academic session by the Continuous Formative Assessment (CFA), the National Council asked the Education Minister about the studies conducted to implement this method.
The House also asked the Minister about ways to effectively implement the method in schools across the country.
A new package of CFA has been developed by the Royal Education Council (REC) to be implemented beginning this year. Concerned about its proper implementation, the house asked the minister about the effectiveness of the new method since the current CFA adopted in some of the schools has not been effective.
“We feel like the CFA is not implemented well across the schools in the country. What are the plans and ways to endure effective implementation of the new CFA method?” asked Lhatu, the Trashigang MP.
To this, the Education Minister said that the decision was made following various studies conducted such as Programme for International Student Assessment – Development (PISA-D) examinations, Phenomenal learning book of Finland and Bhutan education blueprint among others. Lyonpo also said that the government has plans to implement CFA till class six if the new initiative is proven successful.
“One teacher will not handle so many students like before. If fortunate, we will give 18 students to one teacher. But if it is at all not possible when we kick start the system, we will go with 24 students for one teacher. And if there are extra students, we will assign two teachers for team teaching. Also, we have proposed to the RCSC about the need for teacher assistant to help teachers to know about a child’s behaviour,” said Jai Bir Rai, the Education Minister.
To kick start, Education Ministry in collaboration with the REC organised a training of trainers workshop for over 200 teachers in Gelegphu this month. It is to ensure teachers are professionally prepared to implement CFA as an alternative to examinations.
Samten Dolkar
