Suggests measures to cut dropout rate, promote retention in Nagaland
Kohima, September 18 (MExN): With the filing of forms for next year HSLC & HSSLC examinations scheduled from September 17-30, the Nagaland Board of School Education has schools under the Board to give all registered students the opportunity to fill out their forms.
In a letter to the heads of registered institutions on September 17, the NBSE stated that all Class X students registered as of April 1, 2024, should be given the opportunity to fill out their forms. For Class XII, the timeline given is June 1.
This, among other suggestions, was made to heads of institutions to promote retention and curtail the dropout rate in the state’s educational system, according to a letter from NBSE Chairperson Asano Sekhose.
It further noted that all measures should be taken to cover the course of study or syllabus while ensuring that students learn with understanding. Additionally, remedial or supplementary classes should be arranged to address the learning needs of the students, it said.
The NBSE also urged schools not to ‘screen out’ students at this juncture, as there is ample time for them to improve their learning.
It reiterated that all possible collective efforts should be made to reduce dropout rates to maintain consistency in the education ladder in schools.
The Board has introduced several measures to reduce dropouts in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (HSSLC), it highlighted.
These included Compartmental Examinations, where a candidate who received a ‘Needs Improvement’ or failed designation is allowed to appear in four or fewer subjects.
Two chances are given to Compartmental candidates, and a Credit Transfer Policy provision is in place to allow them to clear failed subjects, it added.
The Board also called for giving special attention to ‘Children with Special Needs (CWSN) and slow learners so that they feel encouraged and can progress.’
The CWSN should be identified, and institutional heads must check the exemptions and concessions granted by the Board and guide these students accordingly, it added.
Furthermore, the NBSE stressed that it is essential for schools to understand the distinction between assessments of learning and assessments for learning.
A teacher should understand how students learn best. While ensuring that all students achieve the minimum expected level and that no child lags behind, understanding and remediating each student will significantly reduce or eliminate dropouts from the system, it noted.
Knowledge about each child, coupled with a conducive learning environment, will go a long way in providing quality education, it added.
The latest NBSE’s letter appears to be a departure from its earlier notification on August 21 which stipulated that in Class X “student who do not secure qualifying marks in the internal assessment are not eligible to sit for the external papers”
For Both HSLC and HSSLC concerning Grades for Work & Art Education and Physical & Health Education, it stated that “Students with E grades i.e. Needs Improvement/failed shall not be accepted.”
