‘Exam-oriented learning hurts students’ abilities’

While the survey represents the views of 5,145 teachers from across the country, it includes 612 teachers from 22 cities in Maharashtra.

An overwhelming 92 per cent of the teachers in Maharashtra feel that the education system is too focused on exam results and less on skill development. In terms of benchmarks of learner success, majority of the teachers, or 94 per cent surveyed in the state, perceive that overall skill and personality development is most critical, which is followed by 91 per cent who believe that preparedness for higher education and job is crucial. Only 54 per cent think test or exam results is the benchmark of a learner’s success.

“Across the country, 94 per cent of the teachers consider skills or personality development as the most critical benchmark of learner success, which is significantly more than exam results (57 per cent),” say the findings.

According to responses given by the teachers in Maharashtra regarding challenges for them to attain the desired learner outcomes, 75 per cent said it was declining student motivation and interest, 64 per cent blamed it on the focus of students and parents on exam results and 63 per cent said it was due to mismatch between syllabus and learner needs.

The survey further reveals that in Maharashtra, 78 per cent of the teachers feel that the learning environment has improved over the past decade, slightly less than the national average of 79 per cent.

“Teachers in the state also perceive that technology trends such as increased use of internet, introduction of digital learning tools and integration of audio-visual and online content has helped improve the impact of education,” reveal the findings.

mihika.basu@expressindia.com