My exams have just finished, and I have a fresh experience of the new education system based on CCE (Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation). CCE is a new education system introduced by the CBSE for classes IX and X. Being the first batch to experience this system, me and many of my batch-mates were critical about the CCE. This criticism was mainly due to the fact that it did not do what it claimed it could. It did not reduce the pressure on the students, rather the pressure has actually increased.
I think that this is primarily because the ideologies of the old system still remain, while the new kinds of pressure of the CCE has been introduced. This has resulted in double pressure on the students. But I believe that this will soon fade out in the next few (2-3) years.
Now, after the exams, this view of mine has changed. The exam papers were designed in such a way that pure mugging up will not get anybody good results. Some understanding is required. Second, the 'continuous' aspect of this system develops a habit of working regularly. Third, the 'continuous' aspect of this system also encourages actual learning, rather than rote learning. I wouldn't however say that the need for rote learning has gone, only that actual learning is also required. Fourth, I noticed a lesser competition while results were being declared yesterday. One or two marks here and there did not matter any more, all that mattered was the grade which one got.
The system however, is far from being perfect. Personally I feel that too much attention is being given to artistic skills, and these skills are evaluated in the place of actual subject knowledge. This is disadvantageous to students like myself with a bad handwriting and 'artistic disability'. There are also implementation issues as as far as remote areas are concerned. A large scope for corruption also exists in this system, where schools can give spurious results. Thus strict monitoring of schools has to be done by the CBSE
