The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a comprehensive order regarding the conduct of School based Summative Assessments/Annual Examinations for Class 8th in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education Act, 2009, marking a major reform toward competency-based learning.
In an order issued by SED-JK as per news agency JKNS, the Annual Summative Examination for Class 8th will now be conducted by individual schools—both Government and recognized private institutions—from the academic session 2024–25 onward. The framework aims to replace rote learning with a holistic evaluation approach, emphasizing conceptual clarity and critical thinking among students.
The order, issued by Secretary School Education, Ram Niwas Sharma (IAS), highlights the importance of regular School-Based Assessments (SBA) and Summative Assessments (SA) across all grades, especially for Classes 5th and 8th, which mark key transition stages under NEP 2020.
Students who fail to achieve expected competency levels will receive remedial teaching, followed by a supplementary assessment based on identified competencies. To ensure transparency and accountability, District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) will maintain a complete database of Class 8th students through Cluster Heads.
The SCERT and DIETs have been directed to organize orientation and training programs for teachers and Cluster Heads. These sessions will focus on designing competency-based question papers, using Holistic Progress Cards (HPC), and strengthening evaluation and data management systems.
According to the order, School Heads will prepare common question papers, giving priority to areas where districts showed poor performance in the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 report. The DIET Principals, in collaboration with Chief Education Officers (CEOs), Cluster Heads, and Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), will issue date sheets under the overall supervision of the Director School Education.
The order lays down the following timelines for result declaration and commencement of new classes: Winter Zone results are to be declared before October 25, with new classes beginning from November 1. In the Summer Zone, results will be declared before March 20, and new classes will begin from April 1.
The government has further instructed that Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) be enhanced to ensure better communication between schools and parents, and to facilitate regular monitoring of student progress. (JKNS)
