Open Book Exams Allow Application-Based Learning, Says Maharashtra Minister

Chandrakant Patil, the higher and technical education minister of Maharashtra stated that open-book exams (OBE) will allow students to develop application-based learning instead of just mugging up things to pass the examination. In an interview with Financial Express, Patil expressed his views about the access to reference material to students in line with the decision-makers.

This comes when the Maharashtra government decided to test open-book exams following the CBSE decision to check the feasibility of the examination in the new mode. He said that the decision is following the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which tries to make the education system more student-centric. The education minister also asserted the possible impact of the new approach to reducing student stress levels and reducing mental pressure.

In the open book examination, students can use notes, books, and guides which allow students to think critically and move away from the rote learning method. Open-book exams come as a counter to book exam which caters fear of forgetting and failing. Open book exams are more about learning as it is a 360-degree change in the way schools view learning, design pedagogy and recognize heterogeneity among students.

CBSE’s decision for OBE

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also decided to conduct a pilot test to assess the feasibility of an open book exam. The board is targeting selected subjects – English, mathematics, and science for classes 9 and 10 and English mathematics and biology for classes 11 and 12. The move aligns with the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework for Secondary Education (NCF-SE) and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

However, the news was making rounds that CBSE is introducing the OBE in selected schools as part of a pilot run for specific subjects and grade levels. Instead, the board clarified that it is focusing on the study to ascertain its feasibility. As per the TOI report, the method could be used in internal assessment to promote innovative thinking. There is no plan to adopt the OBE format in the CBSE class 10 and 12 board examinations.

Earlier through the Section 16 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 the ‘No Detention Policy’ (NDP) was introduced to reduce the unnecessary mental pressure on students and parents. The policy was scrapped by the parliament in 2019. It guaranteed promotion till Class VIII for all children, irrespective of their readiness. The now amended policy allows states to frame rules that could re-introduce detention in class 5 or class 8. Now Delhi and Maharashtra government have taken decision to reintroduce detention policy.