Children Who Enjoy Mathematics Have Higher Academic Achievements

Children who enjoy studying mathematics and take pride in good scores are more likely to have higher academic achievements, say scientists who found that positive emotions and success at learning in math mutually reinforce each other. Scientists found that students' learning and cognitive performance can be influenced by emotional reactions to learning, like enjoyment, anxiety and boredom.

Researchers Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat (LMU) in Munich in Germany studied how students' emotions in a school context relate to their achievement. The study focused on achievement in math, which is not only important for education and economic productivity but is also known to prompt strong emotional reactions in students.

"We found that emotions influenced students' math achievement over the years," said Reinhard Pekrun, professor at LMU Munich and Australian Catholic University.

"Students with higher intelligence had better grades and test scores, but those who also enjoyed and took pride in math had even better achievement," said Pekrun, who led the study.

"Students who experienced anger, anxiety, shame, boredom, or hopelessness had lower achievement," he said.

The research was conducted as part of the Project for the Analysis of Learning and Achievement in Mathematics (PALMA).
It included annual assessments of emotions and achievement in math in 3,425 students from grades five through nine.
Read more at http://m.ndtv.com/education/board-exams-2017-kids-who-enjoy-mathematics-have-higher-academic-achievements-1658381

The Board has opened up opportunities for students in the vocational stream

‘Syllabus of mathematics and science in secondary school education’ is one of the most discussed topics in the academic circles of India. Academicians, parents and industry experts have long been arguing that mathematics and science taught in Class VIII – Class X are not useful at work, unless the student decides to take up a career in education or research in the relevant fields. Education boards have understood the truth in this argument and have started taking corrective measures in this direction.

Advantageous

One such initiative taken by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is remodelling its assessment scheme for Class X vocational stream. Now, the vocational stream students have to study six subjects, wherein the sixth subject is an additional subject. Those who fail in either social science, mathematics or science can replace it with a vocational subject. The board exam results will be computed accordingly.

Those who want to reappear for the failed subject can take the compartment examination. So, now, CBSE students who are not comfortable with one of the three subjects can still pass the board examination by clearing the vocational paper. But of course, they have to study one additional subject. This is mandated under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).

The 13 options from which the students can choose their sixth subject are: Introduction to Financial Market, Food Production, Basic Agriculture, Information Technology, Dynamics of Retailing, Automobile Technology, Beauty and Wellness, Security, Front Office Operations, Introduction to Tourism, Marketing and Sales, Banking and Insurance, and Health Care Services.

Sector Skill Councils

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has set up SSCs to conduct skill gap studies, develop competency frameworks, create occupational standards and qualification bodies and assess and certify trainees on the curriculum aligned to National Occupational Standards developed by them. Till date, NSDC has approved 38 SSCs.

Given below are a few job roles for which the SSCs have designed courses:

Agriculture: Green house fitter, harvesting machine operator, bulk milk cooler operator, chilling plant technician and milk collection centre in-charge.

Apparel: Fabric cutter, home furnishing, record keeper and washing machine operator.

Automotive: Automotive service technician, repair painter, maintenance technician, warranty processor, welding technician and taxi driver.

Beauty and Wellness: Spa therapist, bridal fashion and photographic make-up artist, beauty advisor, beauty therapist, make up trainer, senior nail technician, skin care trainer and hair care trainer.

BFSI: Business correspondent and business facilitator.

Capital Goods: Fitter – mechanical assembly, conventional milling, machine polisher, fitter fabrication, forger, manual metal arc welder, stud welding, tool and die maker and tungsten inert gas welder.

Construction: Foreman reinforcement, assistant laboratory and field technician, helper electrician, pre-cast erection, grinder – construction, plasma cutter, tack welder and construction UT tester.

Electronics: Welding operator, drilling operator, in-store demonstrator, assembly operator – RAC, safety tester – TV, smart phone repair technician, installation technician – computing and peripherals, stencil printing operator and manual insertion operator.

Food Processing: Baking technician, cottage cheese maker, dairy processing equipment operator, dairy products processor and pulse processing technician.

Green Jobs: Solar PV Installer – Civil and Solar PV Installer (Suryamitra).

Gems and Jewellery: C & DS – diamond assorter, GP – polisher, DP – auto blocker, DP – final assortment supervisor, window opener, rough marker, setter, sorter and C & DS – Metal setter (basic).

IT: Associate analytics, CRM domestic voice, domestic data entry operator and domestic biometric data operator.

Healthcare: Diet assistant, general duty assistant and dental assistant.

Logistics: Courier delivery executive, goods packaging machine operator, loading supervisor, shipment bagging agent and transport consolidator.

Media and Entertainment: Animator, compositor, editor, hairdresser, lighting artist, roto artist and sales director.

The minimum education qualification to take up the above mentioned courses is Class X. After completing the course and working for some time, students can pursue a higher level course offered by the SSCs. Alternatively, they can join mainstream academics — Class XI and Class XII. The initiative of CBSE is a welcome move. It will give students who want to exit studies after Class X, the choice to do so. Later, they can come back and study further, when they want to.

The author is Chairman, TMI Group

http://www.thehindu.com/education/a-welcome-move-by-cbse/article17892793.ece

Two Class 10 Board Exams - A great Innitiative

In a fresh initiative, the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) will now conduct two board examinations for Class X students. The state education board has roped in 58 English-medium schools affiliated to GSHSEB, from across major cities of the state to be part of a pilot project.

Under the project, class X students of these schools will take the board exam in three subjects - English, Maths and Science - according to the syllabus of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). For the rest of the subjects, students will take the board exam as per GSHSEB syllabus. The exams will be limited to class X students of these 58 schools only.



On the other hand, class X students of the schools which are not part of the pilot project will take the board exams for all the subjects according to the GSHSEB syllabus only. Therefore, the state education board will set two question papers each for English, Science and Maths - one according to the CBSE syllabus (for students of the 58 schools) and the other set according to GSHSEB syllabus (for students of non-participating schools). 

Moreover, the paper pattern for students of the 58 schools for these three subjects will be according to the CBSE exams.

RR Thakkar, vice-chariman, GSHSEB, said they have received a good response from participating schools. "A review meeting will be held with the principals of respective schools after the Diwali vacation to discuss whether this can be implemented for class 11 and 12 (science stream) students as well," he said.

"Parents and students have shown great enthusiasm for this initiative," said Fr Fernand Durai, principal of St Xavier's Loyola. "Due to the difference in the syllabuses and the examination pattern, not just students, even teachers find the new format a little difficult. This is especially true for English as there is a vast difference between the syllabus of the two boards," said Fr Durai. St Xaviers Loyola is also participating in the pilot project.

"While the initiative is good, teachers must be trained for the new syllabus too, as they are accustomed to the current pattern," he said.

Around 20,000 students from GSHSEB-run schools will be part of this project. State board officials are also considering roping in a select few schools from the Gujarati-medium schools too. However this will be implemented after reviewing how the current project fares.

Read More on ...http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Gujarat-secondary-and-higher-secondary-education-board-plans-two-class-X-board-exams-for-58-schools/articleshow/55302750.cms

The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) is now optional for Gujarat Students. - Controversy Again ??

The state government on Thursday issued a notification stating that admissions in engineering colleges in Gujarat will be granted on basis of Gujarat Common Entrance Test(GUjCET) scores along with class 12 scores. The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) has been made optional.

Gujarat government has now formalized the announcement made a few months back by the state's education minister. The move is aimed to favour those Gujarat board students who do not wish to compete nationally and aim to study locally.

"Admission in state engineering colleges will be granted on basis of merit prepared giving 60 percent weightage to class 12 scores and 40 percent weightage to GujCET scores," said education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama.

"JEE has been made optional for students who wish to take admission on all India quota seats and universities which insist on JEE scores. Mandatory JEE entailed a waste of money, efforts and unnecessary tension for students who do not wish to go outside Gujarat for admission," Chudasama explained.

The surprise move to make JEE optional has drawn flak from many quarters for being regressive and lacking any long-term vision for enhancing quality of higher education.

In fact, Gujarat had volunteered to adopt JEE as a mandatory test for engineering admissions in 2009. It is being taken in Gujarati language. From 150-odd students taking admission in IIT and other institutions of national repute in 2009, this number has jumped by 800% to 1200-odd students in 2015.

"Once the students had started performing well in JEE, the state government reintroduces GujCET for populist gains before elections. This move is regressive," said a top expert requesting anonymity.

Rakesh Bansal, a class XII CBSE student said that the government's decision to notify GujCET six months before exams is not fair for central board students. 

"Government should be sensitive to students who are preparing for professional courses. We will now be forced to look for GujCET training at the last minute which is not fair," said Bansal.

Read More ...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Now-only-GujCET-HSC-marks-will-do-for-engg-intake/articleshow/55233695.cms

Govt likely to make ‘optional’ Class 10 board exam ‘mandatory’ again

The “optional” class 10 board exam is likely to become “mandatory” again.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) may set the questions for the Class 10 final exam for all its affiliated schools, reverting to a system that was in place till six years ago.

The Union human resource development minister will discuss the Class 10 board examwith the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), the highest advisory body for the Centre and state governments on education, at a meeting on Tuesday.

“We have representation from a number of states and other representatives because the board exam is still optional in CBSE schools. A broad consensus on it already exists, but a final decision will be taken in the CABE meeting,” said Mahendra Nath Pandey, junior minister in the HRD ministry.

The CBSE, which runs more than 18,000 schools, offered in 2011 a choice to students to opt for the board examination or school assessment. Approximately 13,000 private schools across the country are affiliated to the board.

Many students preferred the second option for their class 10 finals as the general perception is that schools set easier questions for better overall results.

Making the board exam optional has been a subject of debate as the class 10 final is often considered the stepping stone to higher education. Every student had to sit for the class 10 board exam before the school-based system was introduced.

A little less than 1.5 million students registered for either the boards or school-based class 10 finals in 2016, of whom 1.4 million passed, CBSE data reveal.

The HRD ministry could also take up a debate over the no-detention policy , in which students up to class 8 are not detained in the same class even if they don’t do well.

“States are concerned over the quality and a decision is likely over this, too,” minister Pandey said.

The ministry might offer each state the option to decide on the no-detention policy.

A CABE sub-committee has been deliberating on this policy. The advisory board, comprising education ministers of all states and central ministers, will discuss the issue on October 25.

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/cbse-likely-to-make-optional-class-10-board-exam-mandatory-again/story-gcYyCbpZs3xfewCixKujKN.html

Benefits of Participating in Olympiads and Other Competitive Exams

Early Exposure to Real Feel Learning and Competition

Students gain additional knowledge, they learn the way to answer and confidence to write papers. The competition tends to make participants into very sharp-minded and ‘clever’ problem solvers. It gives a chance to students to sharpen their skills by tackling a number of problems at a level they are not likely to encounter in their classrooms.

Understanding the Concepts and their Application

The Olympiad exams not just test the student’s concept but the application of those concepts. For example, every child learn about calculating HCF and LCM but the questions a student’s face will be based on “Applications of HCF and LCM”.

Competitive Self Analysis

Through Olympiads and Competitions, students can analyse their performance at school, city, state, national and international level.

Awards and Recognition

Awards are always good for students moral after they achieve something. Prizes include cash awards, medals, gifts, certificates etc. The International toppers from each class are awarded at a grand prize distribution ceremony. Above all, the pleasure and satisfaction of representing the state/country at national or international level is the best reward for the student.

Solid Foundation for IIT JEE/AIPMT (NEET)/CA/ICWA/MBA

Participating and preparing for exams like NSTSE, NTSE, JSTSE, NSO, IMO helps in development of student’s IQ, Logical and Analytical thinking from very young age which helps in later stage when they prepare for competitive exams.

Open Doors to International Universities (With Scholarship Benefits)

Survey reveals - 98% Teacher's Unclear regarding the purpose of CCE

A recent pan-India survey revealed that 98%teachers in schools do not know the real purpose of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE). 

A recent pan-India survey revealed that 98%teachers in schools do not know the real purpose of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE). The study conducted over three years polled only teachers in 123 schools, but the numbers strongly hint that there is still a long way to go for proper implementation of CCEin CBSE and ICSE schools.

Ganesh Subramanian, director of the Chrysalis group, that conducted the survey, said, "During our survey, we had detailed questionnaires filled up by 757 teachers and 123 principals. We also had Focussed Group Discussions (FGD) with teachers from 18 different schools. Only 2% teachers mentioned that the purpose of assessment is feedback and improvement, which tells us that the CCE implementation is not heading in the right direction."

This survey was done at CBSE, ICSE and state board schools across India. However, in Maharashtra, only eight CBSE and ICSE schools from Pune and Aurangabad were part of the survey. On Friday, Chrysalis is organizing a seminar for CBSE schoolprincipals, where issues related to CCE will be discussed.

Under CCE, currently applicable only to Std IX and X, a student is evaluated on the basis of six assessments each academic year. There are two summative assessments (SA), which are the traditional pen-paper exams, and four formative assessments (FA), which comprise innovative tests like projects, viva, essay writing etc. The final report card of the student is a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) based on performance in these six assessments. SAs carry 60% weightage while FAs carry 40%.

In Std X. the SA-2 is the only exam which the CBSE conducts directly, meaning it controls only 30% of the total marks a student scores. If the student chooses to exercise the option of appearing for a school-based SA-2, then the board's role is limited to setting the question paper.

Read More here....

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/98-teachers-do-not-understand-CCE-properly-says-survey/articleshow/54593362.cms