New common timetable for PAT exams: Teachers cite lack of time for evaluation

In previous years, schools prepared their own exam timetables, generally wrapping up final exams by April 15.

Last year, SCERT had set the PAT exam window from April 7 to April 11, allowing schools to finalise their schedules accordingly.

However, this year, the new common timetable has caught many schools off guard, as they had already prepared their individual schedules.

One teacher explained, “We’re not against the idea of a common timetable, but the dates set by SCERT this year delay the final exams significantly. This makes it impossible for us to declare the results on time.”

Furthermore, the SCERT timetable includes exams for subjects other than those covered by PAT, leading to confusion.

For higher classes, the SCERT’s time-table provides dates for papers of subjects like Science and Social Science too, whereas PAT is only meant for Marathi, English and Mathematics for classes 1 to 9.

Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals’ Association, said, “If exams continue until April 25, it will be impossible for schools to declare results by May 1, after which summer vacations start. The SCERT should reconsider and release revised dates that align with the school timetables.”

The PAT exams aim to standardise assessments for students in government-run and aided schools from classes 1 to 9, with SCERT providing common question papers for the three subjects — English, Mathematics and Marathi.

Schools are instructed to use these common question-papers for concerned subjects. While students receive regular final results by their schools, their performance in these subjects is reported to SCERT, which evaluates learning outcomes and recommends interventions if necessary.