Mumbai : After requests from teachers’ unions and legislators, Education Minister Vinod Tawde announced in the Assembly on Friday that one of the three foundation tests has been cancelled to reduce the burden on students and teachers. As a result, there would be only two foundation tests in the current academic year.
The education department of the state government introduced foundation tests (Payabhut Chachani) for primary and high school students to check students’ learning level. The tests aim at testing the students’ competency in language and Maths. Besides, it was also an indirect test of schools and the quality of education offered.
According to the original schedule, the first test was supposed to be conducted in July, the second one in October and the final test in February for students of Classes 2 to 8 in all schools in Maharashtra including those affiliated to ICSE, CBSE and international boards.
However, the first foundation test (July) was postponed till September as the state government took a long time to issue e-tenders for printing question papers and other exam related work.
As a cascading effect of delay in the first test, the second foundation test originally scheduled for October was postponed till December. The teachers’ union and legislators requested Tawde to scrap this test as students and teachers were busy with several cultural, social and physical activities in schools in December.
While addressing the assembly, Tawde said: “Due to e-tendering process, the first foundation test that was scheduled in July was postponed till September. As a cascading effect, second foundation test was also postponed from October to December… Considering the request of teachers’ union and legislators, the education department decided to scrap one of the three foundation tests, the one that was rescheduled for December. The schools have been informed about it.”
