Kashmir Schools to Shift Exams to November Session – Where Does NEP-2020 Stand?
Srinagar: The stakeholders in Kashmir on Wednesday urged the government for clarity over the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, as it considers starting November-end exams from the next academic session at schools in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
An education expert says conducting a November examination session would not be possible without clarity over the NEP-2020 status. A senior lecturer, requesting anonymity due to her job at a state-run university that does not allow staff to speak publicly on topics of national importance, especially concerning education, said that “had NEP-2020 been followed in letter and spirit, instead of formal exams for younger classes, promotions could have been based entirely on year-round academic performance.”
Education Minister Sakina Ito announced recently that schools will return to the October-November session from the next academic year. In response, several stakeholders suggested that NEP’s confirmed application in Kashmir could facilitate the promotion process for junior students this year, with higher classes to follow next year.
The ‘Student Assessment and Evaluation Scheme’ (SA&ES), announced by J&K in 2022, is in line with NEP-2020 guidelines, applying to both government and recognized private schools up to grade 8. In December 2022, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) issued standard operating procedures under SA&ES, marking a move from rote-based to experiential learning.
Under the SA&ES, results for students in classes 5 and 8 are prepared primarily based on academic performance throughout the year, supporting the NEP’s shift to school-based, stress-free assessments, especially at foundational levels. The NEP’s framework includes a new 5+3+3+4 structure to replace the traditional 10+2 system, focusing on continuous assessment, remedial learning, and competency-based evaluations.
SA&ES was planned to be fully implemented beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, and participants believed the November semester changes were better aligned with NEP goals. A principal school teacher suggested, “If J&K adopts NEP-2020, teachers will be able to better assess students’ performance during the year, enabling November exams.”
Backing the government’s plan, the Private Schools Association J&K (PSAJK) has expressed support for the November session shift. PSAJK President Ghulam Nabi Var remarked, “NEP-2020 has already been implemented nationwide; there’s no reason for confusion here. Schools should conduct term II assessments in November instead of March next year, allowing the academic session to conclude by November for younger classes.”
The association has affirmed its readiness to adjust schedules for the November session, even offering to support government institutions in the process.
