Karnataka Shakes Up Education: Class 9 and 11 Board Exams Introduced This Year

In a significant move aimed at fostering improved learning outcomes and reducing the fear of detention for students, the Karnataka government has introduced a revised examination framework for the academic year 2023-24. Under this new framework, Class 9 students will undergo Summative Assessment 2, while Class 11 students will participate in annual examinations. This initiative aims to continuously monitor students' academic progress at all levels of their schooling.

Key Changes in Examination Structure:

1. Class 9 Summative Assessment 2: From the academic year 2023-24, Class 9 students will now be subjected to Summative Assessment 2, in addition to their regular studies. This will help track their learning curves more effectively.

2. Class 11 Annual Examinations: Similarly, students in Class 11 will now take annual examinations, aligning with the existing practice for Classes 10 and 12. This change ensures a more standardized evaluation system across different stages of education.

3. Continuous Learning Monitoring: The objective of these changes is to provide a continuous assessment mechanism that assists students in becoming better learners by tracking their academic progress consistently.

4. Addressing Student Concerns: The state's school education department has taken into consideration the concerns of students regarding the fear of being held back if they fail an examination. This new framework aims to ease these anxieties.

Question Paper Preparation and Evaluation:

• For Class 9 Summative Assessment-2, the Karnataka State Quality Assessment and Accreditation Council (KSQAAC) will be responsible for preparing the question papers.
• The question papers for Class 11 annual examinations will be coordinated by the PU Examination Section of the Karnataka School Examination and Evaluation Board.
• Unlike Class 10 and 12, the evaluation of papers for Class 9 and 11 annual examinations will take place at the school and college levels, respectively.

Results Tracking:

• The test results of students in Class 9 and 11 will be uploaded on the "Students Achievement Tracking System (SATS)" portal by Head Masters and Principals.
• If a student fails the annual Class 11 examination, a supplementary exam will be conducted at the university/college level.

Streamlining Assessment Practices: Last year, the Karnataka State Examination Assessment Board (KSEAB) introduced Class 5 and 8 yearly examinations, consolidating its efforts to streamline assessment practices throughout students' academic journeys.

Reduction in Supplemental Exams: In a further revision to the examination structure, the Karnataka Board has decided to eliminate the SSLC and PUC Supplemental Exams. Instead, students will undergo three annual examinations, with the highest scores from these assessments considered for retention.

This comprehensive overhaul of the examination system underscores the Karnataka government's commitment to providing students with a more consistent and progressive learning and assessment experience, ultimately promoting holistic education.