Nepal is set to start letter grading system for School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations from this academic year, 80 years after first SLC examinations were held in 1934. So far students receive mark-sheets, with marks between 0 and 100 in each subject. Failing to score at least 32 in a subject means the student has failed. Letter grading was introduced to address the shortcomings of marking system. But the new system is not problem-free either.'A+' (outstanding) is awarded to those who score between 90 and 100; 'A' (excellent) to those who obtain between 80 and 89 points; 'B' (very good) to the 60 to 79 category; 'C' (good) to the 40-59 lot; and 'D' (poor) is given to those who obtain between 25 and 39 points. For those who score less than 25, the grade awarded is 'E' (very poor).
The new system is expected to end unhealthy competition among students and unnecessary pressure on them. But it could also lead to worsening the quality of overall education. The grading system, in my view, is not scientific and satisfactory. Those who obtain marks ranging between 90 and 100 are labeled outstanding, whereas those who fall behind by only one marking point will be labeled 'excellent.' The latter will feel bad about their results.
Grading system divides. Letter grading such as 'A', 'B', and 'C' divide students into different categories which will generate superiority and inferiority complex among students. Besides, 'D' and 'E' category students may not get admissions into reputed colleges. Such students are likely to be deprived of further educational opportunities.
If the government is trying to get more foreign funds with the new grading system, it will be a disaster for the corruption-ridden country. Very few students have a clear understanding of grading system. They are unaware that unless they successfully get through pre-admission aptitude test, attain a good grade and meet other merit-based criteria, they may not be eligible for colleges of their choice.
Besides, letter grading system ignores other talents of students. Why don't we mention behavioral aspects in report cards? Our education system fails to produce upright and respectable citizens as the focus is on rote learning.
Today's students do not heed teachers' suggestion. Parents blame teachers for poor score. The administrators complain about poor discipline of students. So students dominate classroom, rather than the teachers. Teachers are forced to act as per the whims of their students. Occasional mild punishment to change student behavior is deemed bestial. Students are getting more and more hostile towards their teachers. All these aspects are forgotten when students are put to a three-hour test and they pass. Grading system does not offer any way to address these problems.
Teachers have to be empowered to penalize intransigent children. Fifty percent marks should be allotted for written test and the rest be reserved for qualitative assessment such as discipline, etiquette, leadership, sincerity, punctuality, creativity and so on. Unless we have such a system, there will continue to be chaos in our classrooms and the quality of education will continue to suffer. Grading system does not improve this situation whatsoever.
In reality, there is no substantial difference between letter grading and mark system. Letter grading does not recognize any student as failing but is an 'E' not equivalent to a 'failed' status? Good colleges won't offer admission to 'E' holders. Schools will definitely boast about the number of 'A+', 'A' and 'B' students they have. The unhealthy competition under mark-oriented system will continue.
As the jobs of teachers have gotten harder, this in turn has led to poor quality of education. Students themselves are not serious about learning new things. They are hooked to electronic gadgets which often offer them obscene content. They have forgotten handwritten skills. In such situation a teacher is helpless. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to the water but you cannot make it drink.
Letter grading is suitable only when we have a CAS (Continuous Assessment System). Conducting an exam at the end of the year and grading student performance on the basis of a three-hour test is not the way to go about it. Other means of assessment such as behavioral evaluation, course work, oral presentation, project work, mini research, survey, group discussion can help boost student skills. To instill in students a sense of responsibility and ethics, we need a nice blend of theoretical and practical learning. How does letter grading system in and of itself guarantee this?
The author, MA in English, is a member of the Learning Teacher Network, a European education network based in Sweden
amarsherma@gmail.com
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