After teachers’ protests, Telangana partially rolls back external evaluation for SA exams

Facing strong opposition from teachers' associations, the Telangana government has partially rolled back its decision to introduce external evaluation for summative assessment examinations in schools.

Hyderabad: Following strong opposition from various teachers’ associations, the Telangana Congress government on Wednesday took a step back from external evaluation for summative assessment (SA) – I and II examinations in schools across the State.

The government has now limited external evaluation for Class IX students in all 33 districts and for Class VI in nine districts -Adilabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mulugu, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mahabubabad, Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal and Sangareddy.

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Earlier, the government had introduced it for all classes. As per the proceedings issued by the School Education department, the SA examinations will be conducted at the school level. Headmasters have been instructed to send the answer scripts to the mandal resource centres on the same day.

The mandal education officers have been directed to appoint evaluators, complete evaluation and upload marks online within three to five days.

The teachers’ associations described this new assessment system as an ill-considered move and said it was against the Right to Education Act. They demanded that the external evaluation system be withdrawn.

The government changed its decision after representatives from teachers’ associations, including PRTU-TS, TPUS, STU-TS, TRTF, TS UTF and STF, met Education department Secretary Dr. Yogita Rana and School Education department Director Dr. E Naveen Nicholas and submitted representations opposing the external evaluation.

Further, teachers’ associations also raised the issue of teacher transfers at the meeting. The education department secretary assured them that the transfer schedule would be released after the Class X examinations concluded.

Pulgam Damodar Reddy (PRTU-TS), Vodnala Rajashekhar (TPUS), G Sadananda Goud and J Gajender (STU-TS), Katakam Ramesh (TRTF), Venkat (TS-UTF), and Pochaiah (STF) among others attended the meeting.