REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE CABE OF EDUCATION ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXAM. COUNCILS FOR INDIA, PAMPHLET NO. 42 (1947)

 REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE
 COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL
 ADVISORY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON
 SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXAMINATION
 COUNCIL FOR INDIA.

1. At their 12th Meeting held in January, 1946, the Central Advisory Board of Education considered the views of the Standing Committee on the desirability of a Secondary Schools Examination Council with a view to bring Examinations up to a common standard. In making their recommendations to the Board the Standing Committee had before them a note prepared by Sir Cyril Norwood, the Chairman of the Secondary Schools Examination Council for England and Wales, who visited India in 1946 at the invitation of the Central Government. Accordingly the ways and means of establishing such a body and its constitution and to report :

1. A. K. Chanda, Esq., M.A. (Oxon), I.E.S., Director of Public Instruction, Bengal.

2. G. C. Chatterji, Esq. M.A., I.B.S., Director of Public Instruction, Punjab.

3. Khan Bahadur Dr. M. Hasan, M.A., D.Phill. (Oxon), Barat- Law, Vice-Chancellor, University of Dacca.

4. Dr. V. S., Jha, Ph.D., Officer on Special Duty (Post-War Reconstruction), Education Department, C. P. and Berar.

5. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.

6. Dr. Mohan Sinha Mehta, M. A., Ph. D., LL.B., Dewan of Banswara.

7. R. P. Patwardhan, Esq., B.A. (Oxon), I.E.S., Director of Public Instruction, Bombay.

8. Mrs. Renuka Ray, B.Sc., Econ. (London).

9. Sir John Sargent, C.I.E., M.A., D.Litt., Educational Adviser to the Government of India.

10. Dr. S. R. U. Savoor, M.A., D.Sc., I.E.S., Director of Public Instruction, Madras.

11. W. G. P. Wall, Esq., M.Sc., I.E.S., Director of Public Instruction, United Provinces.

2. Subsequently the Hon'ble the Chairman of the Board invited R. B. C. L. Sahney, Director of Public Instruction, United Provinces, to serve on the Committee in place of Mr. W. G. P. Wall, who had retired. Mr. S. C. Tripathi, Director of Public Instruction, Orissa, was also co-opted as a member of the Committee.

3. The Chairman of the Board appointed Mr. A. K., Chanda as Chairman of this Committee.

4. The Committee met at Simla on the 16th and 17th of May, 1946. The following members were present :-

1. Mr. A. X. Chanda (Chairman).

2. Mr. G. C. Chatterji.

3. Dr. V. S. Jha.

4. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.

5. Dr. Mohan Sinha Mehta.

6. Mm. Renuka Ray.

7. R. B. C. L. Sahney.

8. Sir John Sargent.

9. Mr. S. C. Tripathi.

Dr. D. M. Sen, Secretary of the Central Advisory Board of Education acted as the Secretary of this Committee.

5. The agenda and papers circulated to the Committee are set out in the Annexures. The Committee bad before them the following documents:-

(i) The report of the Joint Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education and the Inter-University Board, India, appointed to investigate the question of the relation of the School Leaving Certificate Examination to the Matriculation Examination, together with the decisions of the Board thereon. (Annexure II.)

(ii) A memorandum containing the proposals submitted to the Central Advisory Board of Education in January, 1943, on the subject of a Secondary Schools Examination Council for India and the views of the Board thereon. (Annexure III.)

(iii) A comparative statement of the results of the Matriculation, School Final or School Leaving Examinations and Intermediate Examinations in India in 1943-44. (Annexure IV.)

(iv) Two statements showing the subjects to be offered and the marks required for different divisions in S. L. C. or Matriculation Examination and Intermediate Examinations. (Annexure V.)

6. The Committee decided that they should confine their attention to the Matriculation and School Leaving Examinations and Higher Secondary Examinations which formed the basis for entry to three-year degree courses.

7. As the Central Advisory Board of Education have already expressed themselves in favour of a Council for Secondary Schools Examination in India the committee therefore devoted their attention to the ways and means of establishing such a Council. To start with they considered whether there was going to be one examination at the end of the Secondary School course which would serve the double purpose of selecting pupils for admission into Universities and a school leaving examination. In this connection they noted that the Joint Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education and the Inter-University Board have recommended that there should be only one examination at the end of the High School stage and that examination should be of such a character as to suit these pupils who would enter employment on leaving schools as well as those who intended to proceed to a University. That Committee had also expressed their view that the University in admitting students would be free to prescribe a Higher standard of attainment in a subject or subjects that would be required to secure a pass in the cam of students not proceeding to the Universities. The resolution of the Inter-University Board on the report of the Joint Committee was then taken into consideration and the points of divergence were carefully examined.

Opinion was unanimous that it would be in the public interest to have one examination at the end of the school course and every effort should be made to meet the requirements of the Universities in that examination. On taking into consideration the views of Inter- University Board, the Committee considered it desirable to amend the recommendations of the Joint Committee in regard to the contents of the proposed examination on the following lines :-

Compulsory subjects.

1. A Modem Indian Language. (2 papers of 2 hours each.)

2. English Language. (1 paper of 2 1/2 hours.)

3. History of India. (1 paper of 2 1/2 hours.)

Optional Subjects.

Among the following optional subjects in groups, a student should take not less than 4 and not more than 6 subjects; at least one subject must be from Group A and another from Group C and Group D.

 
                                    Group A.
         
        
             1.    English Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1 paper). 
        
             2.    History of England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "
        
             3.   Geography (Genl.) and Civics . . . . . . . . . . . "
        
                                       Group B.
        
             1.  Language other than the compulsory
        language  . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .       "
        
                                       Group C.
        
             1.   Elementary Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 
        
             2.   Advanced Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . .     "
        
                                       Group D.
        
             1.   Elementary  Science  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  .  (1 
                                                         paper and a practical   
                                                      test wherever possible).
        
               2. Physics                                      Do.
              
              3.  chemistry                                    Do.
        
               4.  Biology                                     DO.
        
              5.  Geography                                    Do.
        
              6.  Domestic Science                             Do.
        
         
                                    Group E.
        
             1.   Art                                          Do.
        
             2.  Music                                         Do.
        
             3.   Crafts                                       Do.

                                       Group F.
        
             1. Book-keeping and Accounts            (I paper and a practi-
                                                          cal test wherever
        
             2. Typewriting possible).                    (One test).
             
             3. Commercial practice                       (One paper).
        
                                       Group G.
        
             1.  Agricultural Science                          Do.
        
                                       Group H.
        
             1.  General Engineering Science                   Do.
        
             2.  Engineering Drawing                           Do.
        
             3.  Wood-Workshop Practice                        Do.
        
             4.  Engineering-Workshop Practice                 Do.

8. In suggesting these changes the Committee were conscious that they were adding to the number of compulsory subjects, which was not altogether desirable. For example, girl students who would concentrate on Arts, Music and other allied subjects should not be burdened with Elementary Science or Mathematics, against their own choice. A sufficient knowledge of Science or Elementary Mathematics which may be necessary for the other subjects included in the syllabus, could be given as part of these subjects themselves. In making the modifications referred to above the Committee hoped that there would be complete agreement, throughout the country on the nature of the examination to be held at the end of the High School course as well as its purpose, namely (i) for entry into the University and (ii) for employment on leaving school.

9. The Committee were of the opinion that 3 hours for each written paper would be too long and involve too much of strain for students at that age. They, therefore, recommended that, as far as possible, papers should be restricted to a maximum duration of 2 1/2 hours.

10. The proposal for one school leaving examination having been accepted, the question of obtaining a reasonable amount of standard throughout the country required careful consideration. There are ten Universities and seven Boards conducting examinations at the end of the Secondary School Course and it has to be admitted that the standard of these examinations is, by no means, uniform. The standard of these examinations ultimately determines the quality of the product of the Universities to which these examinations serve as entrance qualifications. The Central Advisory Board have stressed that standard of University education must be raised to both for the internal requirement of the country as well as to raise the level of educational institutions in India to that obtaining in other civilized countries. Having considered the, working of the Secondary School Examinations Council in England and Wales, the Committee came to the conclusion that such a Council in India was not only desirable but also practicable. The setting up of such a Council should not, in any way, imply that schools and Examining Bodies

in the country are to conform to a common rigid pattern. On the other hand, it should be, possible for them to retain all the freedom they need in regard to Curriculum, method of instruction, etc., as long as the standard of this work does not fall below the requisite level.

11. Opinion was general that such a Council should not be an examining body and should, for the present at any rate be endowed with advisory functions only. It should be concerned with examinations at the end of the High School stage for entry to the intermediate Courses of Universities which have four-year Degree Courses and examinations for entry to the three-year Degree Course of Universities which have adopted such a course. The Council should be able to ensure a uniformity of standard for the following purposes :-

(i) For testing pupils leaving school for employment.

(ii) For facilitating the transfer of pupils from one area to another, for example, from the X Class to XI of High Schools which have an extended 11 years course leading to the three-year Degree Course.

(iii) For raising the standard of University Degrees.

To attain these objects they would try to secure (i) a reasonable uniformity among examinations and courses ; (ii) a reasonable equality in marking in the examinations of a particular body as between the different subjects and (iii) to investigate the methods of actual examination technique. Under these heads the Council would naturally pay attention among other things to the conditions under which examinations are conducted, the standards of attainment required and the weight being given to school records. The Council should also pay attention to the new developments in the subject with which they are concerned. They should issue to the public a general survey of the results of their investigations and point out any undesirable tendencies they come across in general terms. Detailed findings and criticisms of any particular examining bodies should necessarily be treated as confidential.

12. The Committee then proceeded to consider the constitution of the proposed All-India Council and recommended that-

The Council may consist of :-

(1) 1 Chairman.

(2) 4 representatives of Universities to be elected by the Inter-University Board.

(3) 2 Representatives of Boards connected with examinations at the end of the Secondary School.

(4) 6 Representatives of the Provincial Education Departments to be selected by the Central Advisory Board of Education from names submitted by the Provincial Governments.

(5) 6 Distinguished teachers (3 men and 3 women) to be selected by, the Central Advisory Board of Education after considering the recommendations of Provincial Governments, who should be requested to consult established educational organisations within their areas.

The Central Advisory Board of Education may also bear in mind regional considerations in dealing with categories (4) and (5) above. It is also desirable that teachers from Indian States should be included within these numbers.

13. The Chairman of the Board will have very important and day to day duties to perform and it is, therefore, necessary that he should be a paid whole-time chairman, like the Vice-Chairman of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research. His status and salary should correspond to that of a Vice-Chancellor of one of the larger universities of this country.

14. The term of appointment of the Chairman should be 5 years with of appointment of member should be 3 years. Fifty per cent. of the representatives of each group should be required to retire after the end of the first 3 years, the other fifty per cent, continuing to serve till the end of the 4th year. This would ensure a continuity of experience among the members of the Council. The Committee recommended that the Council should have a full time Secretary and other administrative staff. The Council should also have such technical and expert staff, i.e., statistical, and inspecting etc., which they may require according to the nature of the responsibilities allotted to them. The Committee concluded their deliberations with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

15. The following is a summary of the main conclusions and recommendations of the report :-

(1) The Committee was of opinion that it would be in the public interest to have one examination at the end of the school course and every effort should be made to meet the requirements of the universities that examination.

(2) After considering the views of the Inter-University Board on the recommendations of the joint Committee On Matriculation Examination, the Committee considered it desirable to amend the syllabus framed by the Joint Committee, as indicated in para 7 of this report.

(3) The Committee concluded that the examination to be held at the end of the High School course should serve both the Purposes viz., (i) for entry into the University and (ii) for employment on leaving school.

(4) The Committee recommended that as far as possible, Papers should be restricted to a maximum duration of 2 1/2 hours.

(5) Having considered the working of the Secondary School Examinations Council in England and Wales, the Committee came to the conclusion that such a Council in India was not only desirable but also practicable.

(6) Such a Council should not be an examining body and should, for the present at any rate be endowed with advisory functions only. It should be concerned with examinations at the end of High School stage for entry to the Intermediate courses of Universities which have four-year Degree courses and examinations for entry, to the three-year Degree Courses of Universities which have adopted such a course.

(7) The constitution of the proposed All-India Council should be as recommended in paras. 12 and 13 of the Report.

(8) The Council should have a full-time Secretary and other adequate administrative, technical and expert staff. The chairman should be a paid whole-time officer.

ANNEXURE I.

Agenda.

COMMITTEE ON THE SECONDARY SCHOOL EXAMINATION COUNCIL FOR INDIA.

1. To consider the desirability of constituting a Secondary Schools Examination Council for India with the object of bringing the examination up to a common standard.

2. To consider the structure of such a Council and the ways and means of setting it up.

3. To consider what administrative machinery the Council must possess in order to make itself effective.

ANNEXURE II.

Report of the Joint Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education and the Inter-University Board, India, appointed to investigate the question of the relation of the School Leaving Certificate Examination to the Matriculation Examination, together with the decisions of the Board thereon.

REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD OF EDUCATION ON SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXAMINATION COUNCIL FOR INDIA.

ANNEXURE I.

Agenda.

COMMITTEE ON THE SECONDARY SCHOOL EXAMINATION COUNCIL FOR INDIA.

ANNEXURE II.

Report of the Joint Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education and the Inter-University Board, India, appointed to investigate the question of the relation of the School Leaving Certificate Examination to the Matriculation Examination, together with the decisions of the Board thereon.