Karnataka takes cautious first step to introduce digital evaluation of SSLC and II PU examination
Following the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) footsteps, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) is planning to implement digital evaluation of SSLC
Following the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) footsteps, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) is planning to implement digital evaluation of SSLC and II PU answer scripts. However, it is being cautious in the rollout. The board, which is already providing digital mark sheets and digital transfer certificates (TCs) to students who have passed SSLC and II PU, intends to implement digital evaluation as the next step to ensure early declaration of results. However, given the controversy that erupted around digital evaluation in the CBSE, the KSEAB is planning to do it in a phased manner.
In the first phase, it is being considered for Karnataka State Open School Examination, Drawing Grade Examination, Computer Education Examination and others in which less than 5,000 candidates enrol. If it is successful in these exams, then it is being considered for broader implementation. Every year, about 8 lakh students register for the SSLC examination and about 6.50 lakh for the II PU examination across the State. Thousands of teachers are deputed to evaluate the answer sheets, which takes months to complete. Since last year, CBSE has adopted a digital evaluation system for class 12 answer sheets, though it has led to a controversy with many discrepancies reported.
In this context, the State government has instructed the KSEAB to consider implementing digital evaluation, but with caution. How it works In the digital evalution system, all the answer sheets are scanned and uploaded to the computer. Each evaluator is given separate login ID and password, and allotted a certain number of answer sheets. Evaluators have to log in through their ID, evaluate the answer sheets, and enter the students marks on the computer. Speaking to The Hindu, Prakash G.T. Nittali., chairperson of KSEAB, said: “As per the government’s instructions, digital evaluation is being considered with a discussion on the pros and cons.
A proposal will be submitted to the government after reviewing the cost, technology and other issues involved in this project.” “In competitive exams, it is easy to scan OMR sheets and upload them to the computer and evaluate them. However, we have about 25 pages of answer sheets per subject. It is a big challenge to scan and upload such a large number of answer sheets without missing any page and evaluate them,” said an official of KSEAB.
The BriefWire